BREVARD, N.C. – The Brevard men's basketball team returns to the court on Tuesday when it heads to Boiling Springs, N.C., to clash with Gardner-Webb in an exhibition game that is set to start at 4:30 p.m.
The Tornados (0-1) are looking to rebound from 69-67 setback that came to Berry on Saturday evening. Trailing by a 10-point margin, following a free throw by Berry's Quinn Atkinson, the Tornados' Levi Lamb found Shelby Parris for a layup to spark an 8-2 run. Lamb added a free throw and teammate Divese Carson put back the second free throw attempt to get the Brevard offense in rhythm.
Brevard turned up its defensive pressure, forcing a missed jumper by Cory Johnson, and Carson answered with a timely 3-pointer that cut the Berry lead to two, 66-64. The two teams were separated by one bucket for the next 2:44 of the contest when Marder drew a Carson foul. The senior drained both free throws, stretching the lead to four, before Stevie Williams converted the second of two free throws to make for a 68-65 contest.
Carson made quite an impression in his collegiate debut, scoring a game-high 18 points after hitting 7-of-9 from the floor and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. He also climbed the glass for a team-high six rebounds, pulling down two on defense. He led the way for a Brevard offense that finished 24-of-55 (43.6%) from the floor and 8-of-21 (38.1%) from 3-point range.
Joining Carson in double figures for the Tornados was Shelby Parris (13 points) and Stevie Williams (10). Parris finished 5-of-8 from the field and Williams overcame a tough 4-of-14 shooting performance by contributing two blocks and two steals. Williams also got his teammates involved in the offense as he and Lamb each handed out four assists.
Gardner-Webb (1-3) will be hosting its second home game of the season after earning a 119-81 victory over Warren Wilson on Saturday. The Runnin' Bulldogs began the game on a 16-0 run and never trailed, en route to the victory at Paul Porter Arena.
Liam O'Reilly knocked down 8-of-10 from deep to finish with a career-high 24 points, Eric Jamison added a career-high 21 points and D.J. Laster continued his strong play inside with 20 points and 12 rebounds in the win. David Efianayi also had 24 points, Nate Johnson added a career-best 13 points and Jamaal Robateau broke out of an early-season slump with 13 points – as Gardner-Webb (1-3) put six men in double figures.
Laster leads Gardner-Webb in both points (17.5) and rebounds (9.8) on the season by virtue of hitting 32-of-59 from the floor and pulling down 39 rebounds. He is joined in double figure scoring by Efianayi (16.0 ppg) and Liam O'Reilly (12.5).
For more information on Brevard men's basketball check out www.bctornados.com.