Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director
BREVARD, N.C. – Following back-to-back thrillers, the Brevard College Tornados Men's Basketball team (4-5, 1-2 USAS) will head to Boiling Springs, N.C. on Wednesday afternoon to face the NCAA DI's Gardner Webb Runnin' Bulldogs (8-5). Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. and the game will be available for stream on ESPN+.
The Tornados are coming off of an overtime loss last Sunday to USA South Conference opponent LaGrange. Brevard rallied back from a 67-56 deficit to tie the contest at 67-67, sending the game into overtime.
LaGrange pulled away in the extra period, downing the Tornados by a final score of 80-73. Sunday's setback marked Brevard's first overtime contest of the season.
On Friday, December 8, Brevard hosted Averett University in what proved to be an exhilarating victory for the Tornados. Brevard once again battled back from a late deficit after trailing 70-64 with just 3:04 left in regulation. The Tornados stormed back and defeated Averett by a final score of 73-70.
Junior forward Levi Lamb has been the key for Brevard in its last two contests. Lamb has averaged 23 ppg, 8.5 rbg, 2.5 bpg, and two steals per game while shooting 19-of-35 from the field (54.3%).
Lamb's latest scoring surge has vaulted him onto the USA South's leaderboards, as his 16.2 points-per-game currently ranks ninth in the league.
Efficiency and defense have been a key to the Tornados' early season success. Brevard's 47.4% clip from the field ranks third in the league, while its 9.7 steals-per-game mark ranks second in the league only to Pfeiffer University (10.9 spg). Junior guard Qadhafi Turner and sophomore guard Demari Hopper continue to lead Brevard's defensive attack. Turner's 2.3 steals-per-game rank second in the league, while Hopper's 1.9 is good enough for eight in the USA South.
Brevard meets a red-hot Gardner Webb squad who are winners of six straight contests. Most recently, the Runnin' Bulldogs handled the ACC's Georgia Tech, prevailing by a final score of 79-69.
Gardner Webb fields four double-digit scoring threats in its lineup. Both David Efianayi and Jose Perez are averaging 16.8 points-per-game, while DJ Laster (12.8 ppg) and Nate Johnson (10.8 ppg) also average over 10 points-per-game for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
The Tornados and Runnin' Bulldog have common opponents during the 2018-19 season, as both have matched up with USC Upstate and Bob Jones University.
After Brevard's exhibition tussle on Wednesday, the Tornados will have 12 days off from game action before traveling to mountain foe Montreat College for a New Year's Eve showdown at 2 p.m. in Montreat, N.C.
To follow along with all the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, please follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.
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