BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (AP) T-.McCullough had a double-double with 15 points and eleven assists to lead Gardner-Webb to an 81-to-72 win over Mercer in an Atlantic Sun Conference matchup today.<br>
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The win puts the Bulldogs (12-9, 9-5) in first place in what's been a three-way tie with Mercer and Belmont.<br>
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McCullough added seven rebounds and six steals while Brian Bender added 17 points, making all six of his free throws.<br>
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Mercer (12-8, 8-6) led 44-40 at the break and stayed in front for the first eight minutes of the second half.<br>
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The Bulldogs came back with a layup from McCullough and a basket from Simon Conn to tie it at 53-all with 10:12 left. Tim Jennings put Gardner-Webb ahead, 55-to-53, with 9:48 to play.<br>
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James Odoms answered with a long three-pointer, a free throw and a layup off an inbounds play on three consecutive possessions to give the Bears a 59-to-55 edge with 8:35 left.<br>
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Bender drove for a layup to cut the lead to 63-to-62 at the 5:13 mark. Conn scored with 4:28 to play to give Gardner-Webb the lead for good, and took another assist from McCullough for a layup with 3:47 to play to push the lead to 66-to-63.<br>
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Will Emerson cut the lead to one, 66-to-65, with a layup at the 3:16 mark, but Mercer would get no closer.
