BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb jumped to an early lead; then held off a late rally to defeat Campbell 85-70 Tuesday at Paul Porter Arena.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs (3-6, 2-2) earned a split of the two-game series after building an 18-point halftime advantage then withstanding a stretch when Campbell (5-6, 1-3) made 13 of 15 shots.  One day after earning a 70-61 victory, the Camels suffered through a cold-shooting first half they could not overcome.
 
Jacob Falko led five Gardner-Webb players in double figures with 17 points.  Jamaine Mann and D'Maurian Williams added 14 apiece, Jaheam Cornwall 13 and Kareem Reid 11 for the Bulldogs, who shot 53 percent (30-57) for the game.
 
Messiah Thompson hit a career-high for the second-straight day with 18 points – 14 in the second half – to lead the Camels, who shot 55.6 percent (15-27) after intermission.  Sophomore forward Jesús Carralero added 13 points – all in the second half – plus a career-high 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.  Jordan Whitfield chipped in 11, plus five assists.
 
Gardner-Webb made 8 of its first 11 shots and led 45-23 at the break. The Runnin' Bulldogs outscored the Camels by a 30-6 margin in the paint, while Campbell made just 35 percent of its shots in the opening half.
 
GWU led by as many as 31 (57-26) on Anthony Selden's bucket with 14:30 to play before the Camels began chipping away at the lead.  Thompson's second-chance triple with 5:31 remaining was Campbell's 10th-straight make from the floor and cut the gap to 71-60. He then knocked down his fourth triple of the day to trim the margin to 76-66, but the Camels could draw no closer.
 
Campbell travels to Longwood Saturday and Sunday for a pair of 6:00 p.m. starts.