Liberty holds off Gardner-Webb 69-55

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (AP) John Dawson had 17 points on 8-of-13 shooting, Ryan Kemrite added 14 points and 10 rebounds and Liberty beat Gardner-Webb 69-55 on Wednesday night.

The Flames had all the points they would need when Dawson and Kemrite scored back-to-back to make it 59-48 with 5 minutes left. From there, Gardner-Webb went just 2 for 6 from both the field and the foul line.

Evan Maxwell and Caleb Homesley had 10 points each for Liberty (8-15, 5-5 Big South), which stretched a five-point halftime lead to 43-29 with a 10-1 run to start the second half. The Bulldogs (10-12, 5-5) closed within 47-42 but got no closer the rest of the way.

Gardner-Webb scored 13 straight in the first half to take its only lead at 24-22.

Harold McBride went 4 of 7 from 3-point range and led the Bulldogs with 22 points and five assists. Jamaal Robateau added 13 points.