| 1 | 2 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KENN | 34 | 36 | 7 | 77 |
| GWEB | 28 | 42 | 11 | 81 |
Perez has career-best 24, Gardner-Webb wins 81-77 in OT
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. -- Jose Perez had five of his career-best 24 points in overtime as Gardner-Webb held off Kennesaw State 81-77 to grab its fifth straight win on Thursday night.
Perez, who was 8 of 15 from the floor while making all six free throws offered, drove for a layup in the waning seconds of regulation to tie it at 70-70. Kennesaw State's Tyler Hooker missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
Perez opened the extra period by hitting a jump shot and later completed a 3-point play as the Bulldogs led throughout overtime.
Kennesaw State led 34-28 at the half and pushed that to 48-36. The Owls maintained their lead until David Efianayi made four free throws for a 68-66 lead with 1:26 remaining.
Efianayi was 14 of 17 at the free-throw line to total 21 points and DJ Laster added 15 points with seven rebounds for Gardner-Webb (7-5).
Hooker had 18 points to lead Kennesaw State (1-9). Bryson Lockley added 15 points while grabbing 11 rebounds and Kosta Jankovic scored 10 with a career-high 13 boards.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Jerry Heater
- Tony Chiazza
- A.J. Desai
2024-25 Conference USA Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTEP | 4-1 | - | 14-4 |
| Middle Tennessee | 4-1 | - | 13-5 |
| New Mexico State | 4-1 | - | 11-7 |
| Kennesaw State | 3-2 | 1 | 11-7 |
| Jacksonville State | 3-2 | 1 | 11-7 |
| Liberty | 3-3 | 1.5 | 15-4 |
| Western Kentucky | 2-3 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Louisiana Tech | 2-4 | 2.5 | 13-6 |
| Sam Houston | 1-5 | 3.5 | 8-11 |
| Florida International | 1-5 | 3.5 | 7-12 |
2024-25 Big South Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNC Asheville | 5-1 | - | 14-6 |
| High Point | 5-2 | 0.5 | 17-5 |
| Longwood | 4-2 | 1 | 15-6 |
| Radford | 3-3 | 2 | 13-8 |
| Winthrop | 3-3 | 2 | 13-8 |
| Gardner-Webb | 3-4 | 2.5 | 8-12 |
| Presbyterian | 2-4 | 3 | 9-12 |
| Charleston Southern | 2-4 | 3 | 6-15 |
| South Carolina Upstate | 1-5 | 4 | 5-16 |
Men's College Basketball News