Big South foes will lock horns when the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs (10-11) challenge the Liberty Flames (7-15) at Paul Porter Arena. Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs are hoping to rebound after their 69-59 loss to Radford on Sunday. Despite the loss, Tyrell Nelson earned his ninth double-double this season with 17 points and 13 rebounds. The Flames, meanwhile, are coming off a 69-67 win against High Point on Saturday. Ezra Talbert played well for Liberty, accounting for 14 points and two rebounds.
Nelson has taken his game to another level over the last five games for the Runnin’ Bulldogs. During that stretch, he has averaged 17.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 block.
Notes
Liberty won its last game by a two-point margin. In games decided by a margin of three points or less, Gardner-Webb is 2-2. Liberty is 5-1 in close games this season.
Gardner-Webb has an average field goal percentage of 42.6%. Liberty is a subpar 4-12 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs and the Liberty Flames both rank higher in average effective field goal percentage when compared to their field goal percentages. Gardner-Webb is 253rd and 242nd in the nation for FG% and eFG% respectively, while Liberty is 155th and 87th in these categories.
Gardner-Webb, the 55th-ranked team in rebounding, register an average of 39.6 rebounds per game. Liberty does worse, ranked 347th with 29.8.
The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs average 9.1 steals per game, ranked ninth in the nation. The Liberty Flames are an even 3-3 when they allow at least 9 steals.
