The Boiling Springs Bandit, steals one from Upstate
Recap of Gardner Webb thrilling 65-64 win over USC Upstate
After a nearly 25 minute delayed, the people got what they yearned for (or maybe not).
The scoring began with Breylin Garcia getting a put back layup, quickly followed by Ace Talbert hitting a 3 for Gardner Webb. After that followed a series of this that you are NOT allowed to do, but Upstate failed to capitalize only making 2 of 5 at the line allowing GWU to stay within arms reach, and actually ended up tying the game multiple times and even taking the lead out of the Under 16.
After GWU took the lead, Upstate stepped with 3 very strong offensive possessions allowed them to take the lead back with 4 points coming from Learic Davis and a 3 pointer out of the Under 12 by Karmani Gregory. That Gregory 3’s seemed to break the ice from 3 point land as minutes later Isaiah Skinner made a 3 to extend Upstate’s lead to 9 points.
Upstate was able to stretch their lead into double digits coming out of the Under 8 media timeout with 2 free throws from Mason Bendinger and Karmani Gregory 3 pointer. The Runnin’ Bulldogs, did fight back going on a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 6 leading to a Marty Richter timeout.
Gardner Webb would continue into the Under 4 media timeout before a Learic Davis 3 snapped that run short of being what the people call a “Killshot” followed by an EMPATHIC block by Jafeth Martinez which on the ensuing inbound led to Jamias Ferere making both at the line and a Spence Sims 3 which cut the lead to 1 to end the 1st stanza of action.
After a series of misses to begin the 2nd half, Gardner Webb takes the lead off a Jamias Ferere put back but that lead would swap back and forth including Breylin Garcia breaking into double figures early in the 2nd half. After the Under 16, GWU took their largest lead of the game before Carmelo Adkins was able to tie it back up with a 3.
Jamias Ferere gave Gardner Webb the lead back with a massive AND 1, before then committing a foul on the other end which Upstate was able to take advantage of at the free throw line. Coming out of the Under 12 media timeout, Ace Talbert helped stretch GWU’s lead to 6 with 2 shots at the free throw line.
Jamias Ferere on FIRE with an AND 1 that put GWU in the bonus with 8:39 to go as GWU extended their lead to 7, before Breylin Garcia was able to cut to 6, before Isaiah Skinner with a BIG PUTBACK, AND 1 that would cut the lead to 3. Coming out of the Under 8 media timeout, Upstate continued to cut into the lead and TAKING the lead on an Isaiah Skinner 3.
Jacob Hudson would take the lead back on an AND 1 but Upstate was able to take it back with a Mason Bendinger layup but Jacob Hudson decided, it’s Huddy Time in Johnson City with another MASSIVE bucket to give GWU the lead once again. The trading of blows continued as Adkins made a massive 3 to take the lead before Ferere snatched it right back.
Karmani Gregory once again gave Upstate a 2 point lead on a big 3 pointer, then got a massive steal on the other end. Upstate was not able to capitalize on that steal and then sent Spence Sims to the line on the other but Sims missed one of his two shots, giving Upstate a THIN, 1 point lead. After a massive challenge by Jeremy Luther, that he would end up winning, Gardner Webb got multiple good looks and a jump ball which would lead to Jamias Ferere got fouled and being set to the line making both and giving Gardner Webb a 1 point lead, and that was a lead they would hold onto after a massive steal by Jamias Ferere to seal the game.
An Aside:
Before I get into my post game recap, I do want to give a little background on the “Boiling Springs Bandit” nickname/tag line that I have used, as many who may follow my account have noticed, Jeremy Luther has gained that nickname from me, due in part to Wes Rucker.
Wes Rucker original tweet about Jeremy Luther talking about his sons stealing drinks from the fridge in Jeremy’s first D1 game against Tennessee is actually what sparked off that nickname and I was to send my prayers and condolences to the Rucker family and everyone affected by Wes’ sudden passing.
If you do feel so inclined to give to the Rucker family, that is deeply appreciated at the GoFundMe linked in this post.
Post Game Recap:
Jamias Ferere ended the game with 21 points and 12 rebounds a new career high for Ferere, when asked about his performance at the end, Ferere commented saying “I had 21 and 12, that didn’t happen today, he (Coach Luther) pushed me in practice…if I start off a practice bad, he (Coach Luther) says the whole practice is bad.”
When asked about the challenge against High Point next, Coach Luther said, “We’re gonna make it a game, I think we have a good gameplan… if we score 1 more point than they do, we win.”
Coach Luther also joked, “I do have to get a in car and drive to Lenior Rhyne, because my son is in the Final 4 in North Carolina and I can’t miss it.
Isaiah Skinner when asked about this likely being his final game, “Any career achievement is an amazing feeling, I was just happy to continue to play my game, having to make some shots and layups, a little more than usually do and I couldn’t do it without my team. They were there for me, we continued to fight day in and day out, and it didn’t do our way, at the end of the day I was happy, but I wouldn’t do it with another group of guys.”