Presbyterian's trip to Paul Porter Arena resulted in a resounding 92-55 victory over Gardner-Webb, as the Blue Hose showed their depth and talent. With a 37-point margin, this was a statement win for Presbyterian, demonstrating their ability to take care of business against a struggling opponent. The win improves Presbyterian's record to 11-11, while Gardner-Webb falls to 3-19.
From the opening tip, Presbyterian set the tone, racing out to a 40-21 lead at halftime. The Blue Hose's offense was clicking on all cylinders, with multiple players contributing to the scoring effort. Jonah Pierce was the standout performer, notching 20 points and grabbing 13 rebounds to lead the charge. Triston Wilson and Jaylen Peterson also had impressive outings, scoring 19 and 18 points, respectively, while Wilson added 6 assists to his stat line.
Gardner-Webb, on the other hand, struggled to find its rhythm, with Spence Sims being the lone bright spot. Sims finished with 10 points, but it wasn't enough to spark a comeback. The Runnin' Bulldogs' offense was stagnant, scoring just 21 points in the first half and 34 in the second. Colin Hawkins and Jacob Hogarth chipped in with 9 and 7 points, respectively, but the team's overall performance was lackluster.
As the game unfolded, Presbyterian continued to pull away, outscoring Gardner-Webb 52-34 in the second half. The Blue Hose's balanced attack and strong rebounding effort proved too much for the Runnin' Bulldogs to handle. Presbyterian's performance was a reflection of their cohesion and ability to execute their game plan.
With this win, Presbyterian solidifies its position as a mid-tier team, while Gardner-Webb's struggles continue. The loss drops the Runnin' Bulldogs to 3-19, making it an uphill climb to salvage their season. For Presbyterian, this victory is a Quadrant 4 win, which, while not particularly impactful, does help to bolster their resume. Gardner-Webb, on the other hand, suffers a Quadrant 4 loss, which won't significantly harm their already slim tournament chances, but does little to enhance their profile.
The outcome of this game has real consequences for Presbyterian's tournament chances. While the Blue Hose are not yet in the conversation for an at-large bid, they are positioning themselves for a potential run in their conference tournament. A strong finish to the season could put them in contention for a postseason berth. For now, Presbyterian want to build on this convincing win and continue to improve their resume. With their balanced attack and strong performances from players like Jonah Pierce, the Blue Hose are a team to watch in the coming weeks.