Kierre Greenwood sank a pair of free throws with 4.4 seconds that proved to be the difference in Coastal Carolina's 65-63 win over Gardner-Webb on Thursday night in Conway. The Chanticleers fell behind 8-0 early, but would claw back thanks to hot shooting from Chris Gradnigo and a spark off the bench from freshman Warren Gillis. Gradnigo had 14 in the first half including three 3 pointers to give CCU a 32-24 advantage at the break.
Coastal's lead would get as big as ten in the second half before Gardner-Webb clawed back. A Donta Harper dunk shrunk the CCU lead to 53-51, but Danny Nieman hit a three pointer with 2:17 to go to put CCU up by five at 60-55. Gardner-Webb would draw even on a pair of free throws by Tashan Newsome. Tied at 63 with under 10 seconds to go, Coastal played for the win and cleared out to give Kierre Greenwood the ball at the top of the three point circle. Greenwood drove to the basket and drew a foul with 4.4 seconds left. After the junior guard calmly sank the free throws, Gardner-Webb had one chance and played for the win, but Newsome's three was off the mark.
Coastal was paced by Gradnigo's 23 points and 7 rebounds while Greenwood chipped in with 18 points on 7 of 11 shooting. Anthony Raffa, who came into the game averaging 18.4 points per game, was held to one point (0 of 9 shooting). Raffa sustained a cut on his chin in the first half and after extensive blood on his jersey, was forced to swtich from #2 to #12 for the remainder of the game. Newsome had 21 points for Gardner-Webb, who fell to 9-10, 4-2 in Big South play. Coastal is now 12-4, 5-1 in the conference and gets set to host Presbyterian on Saturday at 4pm.
