BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (AP) David Efianayi scored 21 points on 10-for-16 shooting and Tyrell Nelson added 15 points to lead Gardner-Webb past Charleston Southern 79-75 on Saturday.
Charleston Southern's Armel Potter hit a layup and a jumper to bring the Buccaneers to 74-73 with 2:05 to play. Efianayi then made a layup with 1:17 to go and the Gardner-Webb (8-8, 1-2 Big South) held on.
Cortez Mitchell gave the Buccaneers a 23-14 lead with 11:46 before halftime before Gardner-Webb went on a 17-6 run, and Efianayi's layup gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the game at 31-29.
Gardner-Webb led 42-38 at intermission and then outscored 13-6 Charleston Southern after the break 13-6 for a 55-45 lead on Tyrell Nelson's layup.
Laquincy Rideau added 14 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists for the Bulldogs.
Mitchell scored 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting and Armel Potter and Jamal Thomas each scored 16 points for Charleston Southern (4-11,0-4).
