Winthrop defeats Gardner-Webb 88-77
Winthrop Edges Gardner-Webb in Thrilling Conference Showdown
In a back-and-forth affair, the Winthrop Eagles (H) outlasted the visiting Gardner-Webb Runners (A) 88-77 at their home arena on Sunday night.
The game was marked by a dramatic comeback from the hosts, who trailed by as many as 13 points with just over two minutes left in the first half. However, Winthrop's Kody Clouet sparked the charge with four straight field goals, including three 3-pointers, to bring his team within 10 points of the lead.
Clouet finished with 19 points, hitting 3-6 from beyond the arc at a 50% clip and making all seven of his free throws. Logan Duncomb added 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Isaiah Wilson chipped in with five assists and 12 points off the bench.
For Gardner-Webb, Spence Sims paced the visitors with 29 points on 7-12 shooting from three-point range. NaVuan Peterson grabbed seven rebounds, while Colin Hawkins provided three assists and 13 points of his own.
The Eagles' balanced attack was a key factor in their victory, as they shot 45.0% from the field and held a significant edge in free throw attempts. Winthrop's strong performance on the glass also limited Gardner-Webb to just 20 rebounds, compared to the Eagles' 49.
In terms of advanced statistics, Winthrop boasted an effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 50.0%, while their opponents struggled at 57.9%. The Eagles also outscored Gardner-Webb in points off turnovers and had a significant advantage in true shooting percentage.
The win marks the first time Winthrop has defeated a ranked opponent this season, and it may have implications for the conference standings moving forward. For now, the Eagles will look to build on their momentum as they head into the next week's schedule.
Game Stats
Winthrop (H) Game Stats
- Field Goals: 28/62 (45.0%)
- 2-Point FG: 22/37 (59.5%)
- 3-Point FG: 6/25 (24.0%)
- Free Throws: 26/32 (81.0%)
- Rebounds: 49 (Off: 18, Def: 31)
- Assists: 11
- Turnovers: 8
- Steals: 4
- Blocks: 3
- Total Fouls: 15
- Total Points: 88
Gardner-Webb (A) Game Stats
- Field Goals: 27/57 (47.0%)
- 2-Point FG: 15/26 (57.7%)
- 3-Point FG: 12/31 (39.0%)
- Free Throws: 11/19 (58.0%)
- Rebounds: 25 (Off: 5, Def: 20)
- Assists: 10
- Turnovers: 7
- Steals: 5
- Blocks: 2
- Total Fouls: 24
- Total Points: 77