JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a season defined by relentless disappointment, the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs found a single, shining moment of triumph on Wednesday night. Jamias Ferere converted two free throws with 14 seconds remaining to lift Gardner-Webb to a 65-64 victory over South Carolina Upstate in a Big South Conference men’s basketball game at the ETSU Athletic Center, snapping a seven-game losing streak in dramatic fashion.

The game, a defensive struggle marked by more turnovers than assists, was ultimately decided at the foul line. Gardner-Webb, which entered the night with just three wins, shot 16 for 20 on free throws. South Carolina Upstate, which fell to 13-19, made just 9 of 14.

Ferere, a 6-foot-6 junior from High Point, North Carolina, was the central figure throughout. He scored a game-high 21 points, including the decisive free throws after being fouled by South Carolina Upstate’s Breylin Garcia on a put-back attempt. The Spartans had a final chance to win, but Karmani Gregory turned the ball over with one second left, a steal credited to Ferere to seal the outcome.

The contest was a tense, back-and-forth affair typical of two teams at the bottom of the conference standings. Neither squad led by more than seven points. South Carolina Upstate held a 30-29 edge at halftime and maintained a narrow advantage for much of the second half, seemingly in control when a Carmelo Adkins three-pointer gave the Spartans a 61-58 lead with 2:35 to play.

Gardner-Webb, however, chipped away. A Jacob Hudson tip-in and a free throw brought the Runnin’ Bulldogs level at 61-61. After Gregory sank a clutch three-pointer to put Upstate back ahead 64-61 with 1:34 left, Gardner-Webb’s Spence Sims made one of two free throws with 30 seconds left to set the stage for the final sequence.

Following a missed Spartan floater, Gardner-Webb secured the rebound and called timeout. The ensuing play broke down, but Ferere secured an offensive rebound and was fouled by Garcia on his second attempt at a game-winning basket. He calmly sank both free throws to complete the comeback.

Beyond Ferere’s heroics, Gardner-Webb received 15 points from Jacob Hudson and 10 points each from Ace Talbert and Spence Sims. The Runnin’ Bulldogs won despite shooting just 41.5% from the field and committing 13 turnovers. Their defense forced 16 Spartan turnovers and recorded 11 steals.

South Carolina Upstate was led by Isaiah Skinner’s 18 points. Karmani Gregory added 10 points and three assists, while Breylin Garcia contributed 11 points and seven rebounds. The Spartans shot slightly better from the field at 44.2% and made nine three-pointers to Gardner-Webb’s five, but their struggles at the charity stripe and with ball security proved fatal.

The victory improved Gardner-Webb’s record to 4-28 overall. South Carolina Upstate fell to 13-19. The game was a rematch from just four days prior, when the Spartans defeated the Runnin’ Bulldogs 71-61 in Spartanburg. According to Interstat’s ELO system, South Carolina Upstate was projected with a 69.1% probability to win Wednesday’s contest, making the result a significant upset.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final two minutes. After trading leads, Gregory’s three-pointer appeared to be a dagger for the Spartans, putting them up by three with under 90 seconds to play. Gardner-Webb’s response was defined by resilience. They generated a critical stop, forced a missed shot, and capitalized on their free throw opportunities. The final possession was a scramble, emblematic of the entire contest, but Ferere’s determination on the offensive glass created the foul that decided the game. His composure at the line, followed by the game-sealing defensive play, provided a rare but hard-earned highlight for a Gardner-Webb team that has endured a long and difficult season.