Darryl Simmons II shines despite Gardner-Webb's loss in Spartanburg

In Spartanburg, South Carolina, the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs faced off against the Wofford Terriers on December 4, 2024. This matchup followed Gardner-Webb's recent game where they suffered an 83-74 defeat to the Belmont Bruins, in which Darryl Simmons II was notable for scoring 23 points. The Runnin' Bulldogs entered this game with a of record 4-4, while the Terriers were slightly behind at 3-5. Both teams sought to improve their standings through this contest, especially with Wofford having the advantage of being 2-0 at home. The Bulldogs struggled on the road with a record of 1-4, but they recorded an average of 72.0 points per game, slightly surpassing Wofford's 71.9 points allowed per game. In terms of performance metrics, Wofford managed to rank fourth in the Southern Conference with a significant 35.3 points per game scored in the paint; prominently led by Kyler Filewich who averages 12.0 points. Conversely, Gardner-Webb held the seventh position in the Big South with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game, spearheaded by Jamaine Mann who averages 1.9 offensive rebounds. The statistics revealed tight competition; Gardner-Webb averaged 72.0 points per game while allowing 75.0 points, indicating possible defensive vulnerabilities that could have influenced their season thus far. On the other side, Wofford averaged 73.4 points per game, offering a slight edge in balanced offense. Despite their previous setbacks, both teams showed efficiency and potential in their scoring strategies. With the game commencing at 7 p.m. EST, all these variables churned into a highly anticipated meeting, reflecting the immediate stakes each team held in their bid for a better season performance. The outcome of this match was critical for both squads, affecting not only their records but also their momentum heading into the later parts of the season.