The Runnin' Bulldogs faced a tough challenge on Sunday afternoon, concluding their non-conference schedule with a significant defeat, ending 94-52 against the No. 20 ranked Tennessee Volunteers at the Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
In this matchup, junior guard Curtis Williams III led the Runnin' Bulldogs, contributing an impressive 14 points along with a team-high of four rebounds. Meanwhile, redshirt junior DJ Jefferson showcased his scoring ability by achieving his second consecutive game with double digits, finishing with 13 points on an effective 5-of-9 shooting performance.
As a collective unit, Gardner-Webb struggled offensively, managing to shoot only 34.5% from the field, successfully sinking 20 out of 58 attempts, which included a challenging 7-for-30 from beyond the three-point line. Notably, the team scored 22 of their total 52 points in the paint, while their bench added another 20 points.
The game started on a promising note for Gardner-Webb, as they quickly established a 4-0 lead thanks to a three-pointer from Williams and a free throw by sophomore forward Jacob Hogarth. However, Tennessee swiftly took control of the game, launching a staggering 24-2 run that shifted the momentum entirely in their favor. By halftime, the Volunteers had built a commanding lead of 52-19.
As the second half unfolded, Tennessee extended their advantage to as much as 46 points before settling the final score at 94-52.
Looking ahead, Gardner-Webb will regroup and return to action on Wednesday, December 31, when they kick off their Big South Conference season against Charleston Southern. The game is set to begin at 2 p.m. inside Paul Porter Arena.
