JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — In the opening match of the Big South Conference Tournament, Gardner-Webb emerged victorious with a resounding 83-63 win over South Carolina Upstate. This victory allowed Gardner-Webb, who entered the tournament as the eighth seed with an overall record of 11-19, to secure a place in the next round, where they will face top-seeded High Point on Friday.
Leading the charge for Gardner-Webb was Anthony Selden, who put in an impressive performance, scoring 18 points. His effort was complemented by Darryl Simmons II, who contributed 16 points and grabbed six steals. The Bulldogs showed their offensive prowess with Pharell Boyogueno adding 14 points, making 6 of his 9 shots, including two successful attempts from three-point range.
Despite the defeat, South Carolina Upstate had notable performances from their players. Mister Dean was a key player for the Spartans, scoring 17 points, accumulating six rebounds, and achieving four steals. Karmani Gregory also had a strong performance, matching Dean with 17 points and adding five assists and two steals to his tally. Brit Harris contributed 12 points in their effort to overcome Gardner-Webb.
Gardner-Webb’s triumph propels them further into the tournament, setting the stage for a challenging match against High Point. This result marked the conclusion of South Carolina Upstate’s season, as they were the ninth seed in the nine-team conference with a record of 6-26.
