High Point MBB Falls at Gardner-Webb, 62-45

• The Panthers dropped a road decision, 62-45, at Gardner-Webb
• Sophomore Brandonn Kamga led the Panthers with 11 points
• HPU plays at Campbell on Friday night at 7 p.m. in Buies Creek, N.C.

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — The High Point University men’s basketball fell to Gardner-Webb, 62-45, Tuesday night (Jan. 9) at the Paul Porter Arena in Boiling Springs.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs (8-9, 3-1 Big South) outrebounded the Panthers (7-8, 2-2), 40-34, and outshot HPU, 38.8 percent to 30.9 percent. High Point committed 15 turnovers while forcing 11 GWU miscues. Gardner-Webb shot 46.2 percent from 3-point range (6-13), while the Panthers were 1-15 from behind the arc.

“We didn’t play well tonight and our guys have to take this as a learning experience and realize that every single night they have to come out with the right mental focus,” HPU head coach Scott Cherry said. “We had too many mental mistakes, including missing layups and free throws. Across the board, we weren’t very good tonight and we need to continue to get better.”

The Panthers jumped out to an early 9-0 lead in the first two and a half minutes, hitting four of their first six shots, but the Runnin’ Bulldogs came back with a 22-6 run to take a 22-15 lead with 5:39 left in the first. HPU made five of its last 24 shots of the half, finishing the frame at 30.0 percent shooting (9-30). GWU led 31-21 at the half.

After the break, Gardner-Webb’s David Efianyi hit a three to open the half and the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ largest lead grew to 14 before the Panthers clawed back to within eight at 40-32 with 11:39 to go. HPU made some defensive stops, but were unable to get any closer than eight.

Sophomore Brandonn Kamga led the Panthers with 11 points, while sophomore Jahaad Proctor added 11.

David Efianayi had a game-high 23 points to lead the Runnin’ Bulldogs.

Up next, the Panthers travel to Buies Creek, N.C., to take on Campbell on Friday night (Jan. 12) at 7 p.m.