LEXINGTON, Va. ? Senior guards Chavis Holmes scored 25 points and twin brother Travis Holmes added 19 points to lead VMI past Gardner-Webb, 94-88, before 4,084 spectators at Cameron Hall Saturday afternoon.

The Keydets pushed their overall record to 19-4 and moved within one game of securing their first 20-win season since 1977-78. VMI also raised its overall Big South record to 10-2, the best-ever conference mark in school history.

Neither team led by more than eight points in a contest that saw nine ties and 10 lead changes. Gardner-Webb (11-12, 7-6) trailed 86-82 following a jumper by Travis Holmes with 2:16 remaining in regulation. Runnin' Bulldog sophomore forward Nate Blank missed a 3-point try from the right wing on the ensuing possession and VMI senior forward Willie Bell tipped the rebound to teammate Austin Kenon for a crucial stop. The Keydets brought the ball down and ran the shot clock to three seconds before freshman Michael Sparks hit a 3-pointer from the left wing putting the Keydets ahead 89-82 with 1:09 left.

Blank converted two free throws with a minute remaining to pull Gardner-Webb within 89-84, but the Keydets converted 5-of-8 free throws, including four straight by the Holmes twins, over the game's final 60 seconds to keep it a two-possession contest and lock down the win. For the game, the Keydets connected on 26-of-32 free throws for 81.3%, as Gardner-Webb's perimeter defense forced the Keydets to generate points off the drive.

VMI connected on just 12-of-37 from long range but forced the Runnin' Bulldogs into 20 turnovers, thanks in part to six steals by Chavis Holmes, and held a 26-14 advantage in points off turnovers. The Keydets were able to overcome a 26-assist effort by Gardner-Webb, led by sophomore guard Brandon Jackson who had six assists.

The Keydets, meanwhile, committed just one turnover in the second half after turning the ball over 13 times in the first half.

Joining the Holmes brothers in double figures scoring were Bell (14), Kenon (13), and Sparks (11).

Gardner-Webb, playing without leading scorer Grayson Flittner, who was sidelined for the third straight game with a knee injury, was paced in scoring by junior guard C.J. Hailey with a season-high 26 points including 12-of-20 shooting from the field. Freshman forward Joshua Henly added 17 points and was followed by senior guard Takayo Siddle (14 points-4 three-pointers), and 11 points each from senior guard Aaron Linn and Blank.

The Keydets trailed 13-5 early in the game before reeling off a 13-1 run to assume an 18-14 edge following a Travis Holmes layup at the 12:05 mark. The Keydets held a 38-33 lead at the 3:52 following a 3-point play converted by Bell, but the Runnin' Bulldogs answered with a 7-0 spurt following two Hailey jumpers and a 3-point shot by Siddle to take a 40-38 lead with 2:18 remaining in the first half. VMI again pushed the lead to five points as the half entered its final minute, but Gardner-Webb closed the frame with a 7-2 run to tie the score at 49-49 at the break.

VMI looked to break the game open when freshman guard Keith Gabriel canned a 3-pointer from the right baseline to put the Keydets up 71-64, but the Runnin' Bulldogs answered again with an 8-1 run capped by a Hailey jumper to tie the game at 72-72 at the 9:00 mark. GWU led just once in the second half when Siddle connected on his fourth and final trey of the day to push the visitors ahead, 80-79, with 6:34 left. But Sparks answered with the game's next score and put the Keydets up for good with a three-ball at the 5:56 mark.

The Keydets next face Charleston Southern at home Monday night at 7:00 p.m. It will be the Keydets' fourth game over an eight-day stretch.

Gardner-Webb will tangle with UNC Asheville Wednesday night at the Justice Center at 7:00 p.m.            

Quotes --- VMI Head Coach Duggar Baucom:

“That was a big shot by Michael Sparks with the shot clock winding down. They had done a good job defensively. We tried to run a set, but they guarded well. The crazy thing that nobody believes, but Michael works on that step-back three all the time. It was maybe the second or third he has hit this year, but that was a huge one. That three-pointer changed the whole complexion of the game.

“Gardner-Webb is a very good team and they are very scary. They have size and athleticism and have a bunch of guys that can shoot it. They have been a tough matchup for us.”

“I told our guys to enjoy this one, but come tomorrow, it's time to focus on Monday night and Charleston Southern.”      

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