Freshman Juslin Bodo Bodo had a monster double-double for the Panthers, amassing 18 points and 16 rebounds.
“That guy is a handful inside,” Gardner-Webb head coach Tim Craft admitted. “And then number 5 (Kimani Hamilton) hit some big shots at the end of the shot clock and we just could not match that.”
Isaiah Richards got the start and an early bucket, as did Caleb Robinson. By the time he scored again, GWU led 12-7 at the first media stoppage. DQ Nicholas followed with a three and Robinson scored on a driving layup to make the tally 17-7. Robinson kept imposing his will in the paint and by the time Lucas Stieber scored on a drive to the basket, GWU had restored the double-digit advantage, at 23-13.
Robinson picked up his second foul on a charge and High Point was able to make a run. The Panthers pulled to within 25-24 before Quest Aldridge hit a three. Nicholas did the same, which allowed GWU to take a 36-32 lead into halftime.
High Point opened the second half on a 9-2 run to grab a 41-38 lead. Nicholas and Robinson also picked up their third fouls during that stretch. The Runnin’ Bulldogs retook the lead on a Robinson putback, but the Panthers answered with a 4-0 run to lead 47-44. Nicholas responded with a jumper and Aldridge tied things with a reverse layup. Robinson picked up his fourth foul with just over 10 minutes left.
High Point kept its lead thanks to repeated trips to the foul line, and eventually led 59-53 with six minutes to go in the contest. GWU got as close as a four-point deficit the rest of the way, but could not complete the comeback.
HERE WE GO AGAIN?: After letting a winnable game slip away vs Presbyterian, this defeat marks the second in a row for Gardner-Webb after it had previously won six straight. Similarly, GWU lost five in a row last season after reeling off seven straight wins.
“I completely understand the question, but the two teams are totally different,” Craft said. “Last year, we lost some really close games to the top of the conference and in the tournament, we had that game won and Upstate threw in two shots in the final seconds. There is no magic formula or fairy dust that makes you go on a winning streak or causes you to go on a losing streak. We are just going to keep playing the same way that we were during the winning streak. We are not going to quit and we are going to get everything turned back around.”
ONE MORE, ONE LESS: GWU partnered with the One More, One Less Project for the game to help bring awareness to and get people involved in fostering and adopting children in North Carolina. Players wore t-shirts and video messages were shown throughout the game.
“It’s a cause that is near and dear to my heart,” Craft said. “I did not know how bad the situation was until we became involved as foster parents and then adopted our son. The whole goal is to make people aware of this situation. We want to make this an annual thing.”
For more information please visit:
https://www.onemoreonelessproject.com/.
UP NEXT: GWU will try to right the ship as it travels to Charleston for a Wednesday date with the Buccaneers. High Point will host USC Upstate on the same night.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.