BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Led by a career-best 34 points from freshman Keith Gabriel, VMI won its seventh outing in a row, a 96-92 win over Gardner-Webb Saturday night in Boiling Springs, N.C. Senior Chavis Holmes and sophomore Austin Kenon finished with 27 and 21 points, respectively, while improving to 5-2 on the road in 2008-09.
With the win, VMI (11-2, 3-0 Big South) continues both its best overall and conference starts to a season since the 1976-77 season, while winning its tenth game in 11 outings. The win, coupled with Presbyterian's ten-point loss to Radford, puts the Keydets alone in first place in the Big South standings.
The game featured 10 ties and seven lead changes, as the Keydets used an 8-0 run, beginning with a three-pointer by Gabriel with 3:17 remaining, to take the lead for good.
Gardner-Webb held its final lead of the game following a four-point play by guard Aaron Linn who nailed a three-point shot and converted a free throw after being fouled on the play with 3:35 left to put the Bulldogs up, 88-86.
But Gabriel answered 18 seconds later with a 3-pointer to put the Keydets ahead for good, 89-88.
VMI then preserved the advantage by converting five of eight free throws over the final three minutes of regulation while the Bulldogs connected just two of their next eight shots from the floor over the same time frame.
A layup by Chavis Holmes with 1:38 put the Keydets on top, 94-88, but guard Takayo Siddle and Joshua Henly both converted layups to trim the VMI lead to 94-92 with :16 left. VMI freshman forward Ron Burks was fouled and hit one of two free throws at the 14.7 mark to give the Keydets a three-point cushion, 95-92.
GWU's Jonathan Moore missed a bid to tie the game with a 3-point try with :02 remaining and Burks grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 0.8 left. Burks strode to the line and again converted one of two free throws to seal the win and give the Keydets their 10th triumph over the last 11 contests.
VMI shot 51.9 percent in the second half to finish at 45.3 percent for the game (29-of-64), and made 15 free throws in the final 20 minutes after going 7-of-14 over the first half. Gabriel went 11-of-20 en route to his career-high 34 points, making 7-of-12 from long-range and all five free throws.
VMI, playing without the services second-leading scorer Travis Holmes who was resting a sore knee, made 16 three-point baskets and outscored the Bulldogs in bench scoring, 42-25
Bulldog guard Grayson Flittner scored 21 points to pace Gardner-Webb (5-8, 1-2 BSC), but missed nine of his 11 three-point attempts while going for 8-for-20 from the floor. Aaron Linn added 18 and Nate Blank had 13 for the Bulldogs, who shot 47.6 percent for the game but just 8-of-24 from 3-point range (33.3 percent).
VMI continues its road swing Monday night at Charleston Southern with tip-off scheduled for approximately 7:30 p.m. The game is scheduled to follow a women's basketball game at CSU Field House.
VMI Head Coach Duggar Baucom -
“It was a game of so many runs, but we made the plays when we had to. In time-outs, you look at these kids and they never have any fear. They think we are going to get it done and it's a great group to coach and a lot of fun.”
“Keith Gabriel was phenomenal and I thought Chavis played well despite his brother (Travis) not being able to play. Chavis hasn't played too many games without his brother and I thought he was a leader on the court tonight.”
“It's a great way to start a road trip. I know Charleston Southern will be tough again on Monday.”
“I thought we played very relaxed tonight even though it was a crazy game.”
