Hogarth’s big night helps GWU snap skid, collect first win

By Jacob Conley (@gwujake)

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — Jacob Hogarth had a monster game with 23 points and 23 rebounds as Gardner-Webb picked up its first win of the season with a 77-63 triumph over the Division III Brevard Tornadoes on Friday in Boiling Springs.

The victory snaps an 11-game losing streak to start the season, the worst such mark in the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ Division I history (2002).

“At this point, we will take any win for sure. It’s a sense of relief. I’m happy about that part,” head coach Jeremy Luther said. “What I’m not so happy with is that we didn’t continue to take steps forward tonight. We did not play as well as we did versus Georgia Southern.”  

It took GWU three minutes and 15 seconds to break the ice, but Brevard was equally as cold as the Bulldogs led, 4-2, at the first media stoppage. Hogarth used his size to score the next six points, but a four-point play from Twain Wilson tied the game at 10.

An Ace Talbert three-point play keyed a 7-0 GWU run. By the time Talbert scored on a driving layup, GWU led, 21-13. The home team kept going inside and by the time Jacob Hudson scored in transition, the Runnin’ Bulldogs led 27-16. Wilson kept Brevard in the game with a couple of quick buckets, but a first half double-double from Hogarth kept GWU in front at the break, 32-24.

Hogarth picked up where he left off in the first half. The Iona transfer had a rebound and putback, and found Spence Sims for a fast-break layup as GWU led, 42-29. Brevard responded with a 6-0 run as a layup from Wilson cut the deficit with 14:02 left in the game.

Talbert ended the run by muscling his way to the basket, but Brevard only trailed, 45-38. The team kept trading baskets until Curtis Williams converted a three-point play and Hogarth threw down a dunk, restoring the double-digit lead. Sims hit the first three of the game for GWU moments later and  Hogarth got three the old-fashioned way as GWU began to pull away. The lead grew to as much as 77-57 before the visitors made a late run against the Runnin’ Bulldogs bench to account for the 77-63 final.

HOGARTH HAS A NIGHT: The 23 points and 23 rebounds are both career highs for Jacob Hogarth. The sophomore transfer from Iona was 10-for-14 from the floor, while grabbing 18 defensive rebounds and five on the offensive glass. The school record for most rebounds in a single game belongs to NBA All-Star Artis Gilmore, who had 36.

“No disrespect to Brevard, but with Jacob’s size advantage, he should have dominated and he did,” Luther said. “He played with energy and aggressiveness from the opening tip.”

“Coach told me to be aggressive and go after everything, so I did,” Hogarth said. “It feels good to get this win. It gives us something positive to build on. There have been some positives in our losses too, but it always feels better when you win.”

REASON FOR HOPE: Despite their 1-11 record, Luther still has faith that the Runnin’ Bulldogs can turn things around once Big South play starts.

“I said after the Clemson game that I was not discouraged and I’m still not,” he said. “I love this team and I truly believe we are going to do big things in conference. If you come to practice tomorrow, you wouldn’t be able to tell if we were 1-11 or 11-1. But all people see are the records. I hear all the naysayers, but they don’t see what I see. We were just one or two possessions down at UNCW with about 10 minutes left. Queens was the same way and then we took Georgia Southern down to the wire. December 31 is our first conference game, with Charleston Southern. That’s a whole new season for us. Let’s see where we are then.”

5 FOR 5: GWU placed all five of its starters in double figures. Hogarth led the way with 23. Spence Sims had 13, Colin Hawkins had 12, Talbert finished with 11 and Williams rounded out the group with 10.

UP NEXT: GWU will continue its three-game homestand, hosting regional rival Wofford on Monday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.