Coastal Carolina holds off Gardner-Webb 78-71

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) Shivaughn Wiggins shot 11 for 13 from the field - 5 for 6 from 3 - and finished with a career-high 30 points in leading Coastal Carolina past Gardner-Webb 78-71 on Saturday.

Elijah Wilson finished with 15 points, Badou Diagne scored 11 and Tristian Curtis collected 13 rebounds for Coastal Carolina (16-9, 10-5 Big South).

The Chanticleers trailed 33-30 at halftime before starting the second half on an 11-0 run. Tyrell Nelson's 3-point play with 16:29 left were the first Bulldogs points after intermission.

Later, Wiggins hit a 3 to stretch the lead to 66-54 with 6:25 to play. But Gardner-Webb got back in it with a 15-6 run, and Brandon Miller's two free throws cut Gardner-Webb's deficit to 72-69 with 2:33 left.

Coastal Carolina held off the Bulldogs from the free-throw line as neither team scored a field goal down the stretch.

Nelson led Gardner-Webb (13-14, 8-7) 14 points.