Thursday’s roundup: Gardner-Webb’s basketball season-opener is a thriller and prep volleyball results

By Richard Walker

Visiting Gardner-Webb gave Western Kentucky all it could handle Thursday night before dropping an 86-84 decision in the Runnin’ Bulldogs first game of the season.
Gardner-Webb had its seven previously scheduled season-openers postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19 issues.
In Thursday’s game, G-W led 43-40 at the half but couldn’t hold off a second half Hilltoppers’ comeback.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs led by six in each half, including 48-42 with 19:04 left in the game.
A Western Kentucky (4-2) 23-7 surge over the next nine minutes gave the Hilltoppers a game-high 65-55 lead before a frantic finish.
Lance Terry’s 3-pointer put G-W ahead 72-69 with 6:59 to play before Western Kentucky hit two 3-pointers for a 75-72 lead with 5:17 left that gave it the lead for good.
Still, Jaheam Cornwall had a potential game-winning 3-point try just before the buzzer that misfired.
Jacob Falko led the Runnin’ Bulldogs with 19 points. Cornwall and Terry added 15 points apiece and Kareem Reid 11.
Gardner-Webb’s next game is Saturday at 4 p.m. at Pittsburgh.
Earlier Thursday, Gardner-Webb’s original season-opener at Duke was cancelled when the Blue Devils decided they would cancel all non-league games. Originally slated for Nov. 25, the game had been rescheduled for Dec. 19 before Thursday’s cancellation.

Charlotte on national TV: The Charlotte conclude their season-opening four-game homestand on Friday at 5 p.m. on national television (ESPNU) when the 49ers host Appalachian State.
Charlotte (1-2) next plays at Davidson on Tuesday.
Appalachian State, which has two local players – 2018 Kings Mountain graduate Adrian Delph and former East Gaston standout James Lewis – has a 3-1 record.

High school volleyball
South Point 3, Burns 0 (25-6, 25-13, 25-17): South Point won the Southwestern 2A match behind Emily Revels (13 Aces, 38 Assists), Anna Dunbar (16 Kills) and Chloe Ratliff (9 kills, 3 Aces).
The Red Raiders also beat Burns in the JV match 2-0.

Cherryville 3, Bessemer City 0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-18): Cherryville improved to 3-5 behind Addie Eaker (12 kills) and Rileigh Kiser (6 serve aces, 19 assists).