NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) T.J. McCullough made two free throws with 6.6 seconds remaining as top-seeded Gardner-Webb survived an upset scare for the second straight game to defeat Jacksonville 77-76 Friday night in the Atlantic Sun Conference basketball tournament semifinals.<br>
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The Bulldogs (18-11), who defeated Troy State 64-62 in Thursday's quarterfinal, advance to the championship game on Saturday.<br>
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McCullough's foul shots gave Gardner-Webb a 77-74 lead.<br>
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Jacksonville (16-13) came down on its ensuing possession, needing a 3-point basket to tie.<br>
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Aubrey Conerly's shot from the top of the key bounced off the rim and was tipped in by Jesse Kimbrough for the final margin.<br>
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Simon Conn scored a game-high 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the floor and 7 of 11 free throws for Gardner-Webb. Conn also grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.<br>
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McCullough and Chris Gash added 14 points apiece for Gardner-Webb, while Brian Bender scored 12. Kimbrough and Haminn Quaintance scored 16 points each to pace Jacksonville. Conerly added 14 points for the Dolphins.
