LAS VEGAS (AP) — Naji Hibbert scored 15 points and Donta Harper 14 as Gardner-Webb defeated Purdue-Indianapolis (IUPUI) 61-54 at the Las Vegas Invitational on Thursday afternoon.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs (3-5) led by as many as 18 early in the second half and fended off a series of comeback attempts by IUPUI (1-6). Ian Chiles scored 11 of his game-high 22 points and was the only Jaguar to reach double-figures, which he’s done in every game this season. IUPUI didn’t get closer than five points, its 31.7 percent field-goal shooting and five assists were both season-lows.
Gardner-Webb shot 45.1 percent, forced 13 turnovers and made 10 steals — Harper and Tyler Strange with three each.
Harper and Hibbert combined for nine points as Gardner-Webb broke away after halftime. Harper, (6 of 6 from the line), and Josh Castellanos (4-4) iced the game with two free throws each in the final 40 seconds.
