CLINTON, S.C. (Interstat) — In a grinding Big South Conference contest defined more by physicality than finesse, the Presbyterian Blue Hose used a decisive second-half surge and superior efficiency to outlast the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs 68-62 on Saturday afternoon at the Templeton Center.

A crowd of 308 watched as Presbyterian improved to 12-13 overall, while Gardner-Webb’s difficult season continued, dropping to 3-22.

The game’s pivotal stretch arrived early in the second half. Gardner-Webb, which led 36-31 at halftime, saw its advantage quickly evaporate. Presbyterian opened the final period with a 12-2 run, fueled by Carl Parrish and Jaylen Peterson. Parrish, a guard from Miami Gardens, Florida, scored six points during the burst, including a driving layup off his own steal, while Peterson added a layup to give the Blue Hose a 43-38 lead they would not relinquish.

Gardner-Webb struggled to regain its offensive rhythm after halftime, scoring just 26 points in the second period. The Runnin’ Bulldogs were plagued by poor free-throw shooting, converting only 4 of 12 attempts from the line. This proved a critical deficiency in a tight game, as Presbyterian capitalized on its opportunities, making 16 of 23 free throws.

Presbyterian’s victory was anchored by a dominant performance in the paint and on the glass. The Blue Hose outscored Gardner-Webb 40-38 inside and, more importantly, grabbed 12 offensive rebounds to Gardner-Webb’s six, generating crucial second-chance opportunities. Defensively, Presbyterian blocked five shots and recorded six steals, disrupting Gardner-Webb’s offensive flow.

Jaylen Peterson, a 6-foot-8 forward from Stone Mountain, Georgia, was the game’s standout performer. He recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, adding two blocks in 38 minutes of work. His interior presence on both ends was instrumental. He was complemented by a balanced scoring effort: Carl Parrish led all scorers with 16 points, Khalon Hudson came off the bench to contribute 12, and Triston Wilson added 10 points and six rebounds.

Gardner-Webb was led by Spence Sims and Jamias Ferere, who scored 12 and 13 points respectively. Jacob Hogarth also added 12 points and five rebounds. The Runnin’ Bulldogs shot a respectable 47.3% from the field but were undone by their inefficiency, scoring just 62 points on 65 possessions. Presbyterian, by contrast, scored 68 points on just 62 possessions, showcasing a more effective offensive outing.

The most important part of the game was Presbyterian’s immediate and assertive response to start the second half. After being outplayed in the first period, the Blue Hose tightened their defense, forced Gardner-Webb into rushed shots and turnovers, and executed with purpose on offense to seize control. Gardner-Webb never led again after the 17:35 mark of the second half, as Presbyterian’s defense consistently made stops in the final minutes to secure the win.

The game was a stark contrast to the teams’ previous meeting on Jan. 17, which Presbyterian won by 37 points. This time, Gardner-Webb showed more fight, particularly in a first half where they built their lead by attacking the basket, scoring 38 of their 62 total points in the paint. However, their inability to sustain that effort after halftime and their failures at the charity stripe ultimately sealed their fate.

Presbyterian, which entered the game as a 16.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, did not cover the spread. The combined score of 130 points fell well under the pregame over/under line of 146.5, reflecting the defensive struggle and offensive struggles both teams endured for long stretches.

With the victory, Presbyterian moves forward in the conference standings, while Gardner-Webb searches for answers to halt a lengthy skid as the season enters its final weeks.