Inside the Numbers: Gardner-Webb at Winthrop

You’ve read the recap. Now, let’s go Inside the Numbers behind Winthrop’s marathon, triple-overtime victory over Gardner-Webb Saturday night.

• First, there was so much discussed in the postgame press availability that, instead of transcribing individual items, I’ve included the full video of the postgame conversations. This allows you to partake of the entire conversation.

• One of the most important numbers from this game was eight. Gardner-Webb had only eight scholarship players dressed, along with walk-ons Kennedy Kincaid and Delis Boggs. Three Gardner-Webb players fouled out during the course of the game, and when Tim Craft attempted to insert Boggs to replace star Jose Perez, who had crashed to the floor, the Runnin’ Bulldogs were assessed an administrative technical because Boggs was not in the scorebook. Guard Lance Terry missed the game, donning crutches and a boot on his foot.
• Winthrop guard Kyle Zunic spoke after the game of the high-level defense being played throughout, and, despite Gardner-Webb’s 51.6-percent shooting effort in the first half, it’s hard to argue. The sides hoisted a combined 151 shots, with 66 falling. Winthrop knocked down 32-of-80 tries (40 percent) in the victory, with Gardner-Webb hitting 34-of-71 (47.9 percent) of its attempts. 114 of those shots came in regulation.
• Jose Perez’ night merits much more mention that it will likely receive, due to the result. Perez came into the night having hit just 6-of-34 shots in Big South play, and he nearly doubled that output in one game. Perez hit 11-of-17 tries from the field and 11-of-14 free throw attempts. Perez again led his team in assists (six) and hauled in six boards. Perez yelled, whether to himself or someone else, during the game that he knew he had to break out sometime (paraphrasing), and break out, he did. This started with the sophomore star’s efforts in practice, and continued with his coming back on the court after Wednesday night’s loss to Radford to get in a number of shots. Perez slowly limped off the floor after playing 51 minutes Saturday night, and it was clear he left everything he had on the deck. This may be a loss for Gardner-Webb in the scorebook, but if Perez can keep this up and regain his form, the win for the Runnin’ Bulldogs in the long run may be much more significant.
• Gardner-Webb was a trendy pick to again win the league this year, and its 1-3 start has some feeling as though the Runnin’ Bulldogs may be underachieving. Keep in mind, though, that the ‘Dogs have dropped three conference games by a combined 13 points, and started last season 2-4 in the Big South before reeling off eight wins in their final 10 league games and winning the tournament.
• Nate Johnson tallied just seven points for Gardner-Webb Saturday, coming off a 27-point performance against Radford Wednesday. Despite his lack of scoring, Johnson hauled in 10 boards, dished out a pair of assists, and recorded four steals. Johnson fouled out after having played 33 minutes, but provided some helpful contributions to his club.
• Let’s close with the Hustle Stats:
  • Points in the Paint:  Gardner-Webb 38, Winthrop 38
    • Considering both of its posts fouled out, this is a number with which Gardner-Webb has to be happy.
  • Points off Turnovers:  Gardner-Webb 17, Winthrop 14
    • Gardner-Webb forced a rather uncharacteristic 19 turnovers from the Eagles, while Winthrop forced 18 Gardner-Webb miscues.
  • Second-Chance Points:  Winthrop 16, Gardner-Webb 5
    • Winthrop dominated the offensive boards (17-5), as is its aim. The Eagles maintained just a 55-46 rebounding advantage, but those 17 offensive boards led to nearly a point per putback.
  • Fast-Break Points:  Gardner-Webb 8, Winthrop 0
    • Gardner-Webb did a pretty reasonable job of limiting Winthrop in transition, which was quite helpful to the Runnin’ Bulldogs cause.
  • Bench Points:  Winthrop 23, Gardner-Webb 16
    • 20 of these 23 points came from freshman DJ Burns — who again tallied a double-figure point total in limited time off the bench (14 points in 21 minutes) — and Kyle Zunic, who contributed six. Justin Jenkins (seven), Christian Turner (seven), and Kareem Reid (two) accounted for Gardner-Webb’s pine points.

WINTHROP 99, GARDNER-WEBB 95 (3OT)

GARDNER-WEBB (5-11, 1-3 BIG SOUTH): Jamison 5-14 1-2 12, Dufeal 4-5 1-3 9, Cornwall 5-15 3-4 16, Perez 11-17 11-14 35, Johnson 3-8 0-0 7, Jenkins 3-6 0-0 7, Turner 2-3 3-5 7, Reid 1-3 0-0 2, Boggs 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-71 19-28 95.

WINTHROP (10-7, 4-0 BIG SOUTH): Ferguson 3-9 2-2 8, Claxton 3-3 5-8 11, Anumba 2-6 4-4 8, Hale 8-21 4-5 25, Vaudrin 9-16 3-9 24, Jones 0-2 0-0 0, Falden 1-6 0-0 17, King 0-0 0-0 0, Zunic 2-6 1-3 6, Burns 4-11 6-9 14. Totals 32-80 25-40 99.

Halftime — Gardner-Webb 37-31. 3-Point Goals—Winthrop 10-36 (Ferguson 0-4, Anumba 0-3, Hale 5-15, Vaudrin 3-5, Jones 0-1, Falden 1-4, Zunic 1-4), Gardner-Webb 8-27 (Jamison 1-1, Cornwall 3-9, Perez 2-6, Johnson 1-6, Jenkins 1-4, Turner 0-1). Fouled Out —Dufeal (GWU), Johnson (GWU), Reid (GWU), Claxton (WU), Anumba (WU), Jones (WU). Rebounds — Winthrop 55 (Ferguson 14), Gardner-Webb 46 (Johnson 10). Assists —Gardner-Webb 19 (Perez 6), Winthrop 14 (Vaudrin 5). Total Fouls — Gardner-Webb 25, Winthrop 23. Technical — Team (GWU). A —2321.

CURRENT BIG SOUTH STANDINGS