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CHARLOTTE -- Third-seeded Gardner-Webb escaped a challenge from persistent, sixth-seeded Campbell Friday night in the Big South quarterfinals, 54-53. The Runnin' Bulldogs were whistled for a foul with :00.1 remaining on the clock, but Campbell could convert just one of two free throws. Now that you know that, let's go...Inside the Numbers.
Just two opponents (UNLV and Georgia, which hit two and three, respectively) converted fewer threes in a game against Gardner-Webb this season than Campbell's four long-distance connections Friday night. Campbell marked the seventh opponent to hit exactly four against the Runnin' Bulldogs -- who, interestingly, moved to 4-3 in games where their opponents hit four triples.
Jordan Whitfield's 20 points for Campbell marked a season-high, while his seven made field goals tied a season-best (7 vs. Charleston Southern/Presbyterian). The output marked Whitfield's 10th game of 20 or more points at Campbell.
Campbell recorded 10 pilfers in the game, marking just the fourth time in the 2021-22 campaign that the Camels logged 10 or more steals. Two of those three came against Division 1 opponents -- 12 at VCU and 10 against Longwood.
Gardner-Webb's one made free throw in the contest marked the lowest for the club -- by a significant margin -- against a Division 1 foe this season. The prior low of six against a D1 squad also came at the hands of Campbell, when the Runnin' Bulldogs went 6-for-9 from the stripe in a 57-45 victory in Buies Creek.
By a similar measure, the six attempts tied for the lowest amount the Camels have surrendered all year. Hartford knocked home 4-of-6 early in the season in a loss to Campbell.
The game marked the lowest assist total recorded by Campbell all year. The Camels helped on just four buckets Friday, eclipsing the prior mark of five in a loss to UNC Wilmington. Gardner-Webb, for its part, dished just nine dimes -- a number it has equaled on three occasions (at Presbyterian, at Winthrop, vs. Asheville). Coincidentally, the 'Dogs have turned in just six helpers twice this season -- once coming in that win at Campbell.
Gardner-Webb's 14 offensive caroms provided the second-highest total the Runnin' Bulldogs have logged against a D1 foe this year. The 'Dogs snatched 17 of their own misses in a loss at VMI. The rebounds afforded GWU 13 second-chance points. Campbell had allowed that number of offensive rebounds just once this year, in a double-overtime win against Presbyterian.
Gardner-Webb and Winthrop square off Saturday afternoon at approximately 2:00 in the Big South semifinals. The Runnin' Bulldogs have won just nine of 33 all-time meetings, including six of 17 under Tim Craft's watch. Craft's teams are 0-4 against Winthrop in conference tournament play.
And finally, the Hustle Stats:
Points in the paint: Gardner-Webb 30, Campbell 14
Points off turnovers: Campbell 19, Gardner-Webb 10
Second-chance points: Gardner-Webb 13, Campbell 5
Bench points: Campbell 11, Gardner-Webb 10
Fast-break points: Campbell 16, Gardner-Webb 0
Points per possession: Gardner-Webb .857 (63 possessions), Campbell .841 (63 possessions)