Date Posted: 2/26/2008

MACON, Ga. – Three weeks ago, Gardner-Webb sat muddled in the middle of the Atlantic Sun standings, but a five-game win streak has boosted the Runnin’ Bulldogs into a three-way tie for third. Senior Thomas Sanders helped carry Gardner-Webb into that tie with home wins vs ETSU and USC Upstate with two monster performances, highlighted by a 19-point, 22-rebound game vs the Spartans. On Monday, the conference office announced that Sanders won his second Player of the Week for the season.

Sanders, a social sciences major from Sugarland, Texas averaged 22.5 points, 5.0 assists and a national-best 19.0 rebounds per game while shooting a sizzling 54.8 percent as Gardner-Webb topped its two opponents by an average of 26.5 points. Sanders had 26 points and 16 rebounds (four offensive) in a decisive 96-70 win over preseason favorite ETSU on Thursday, and followed with perhaps his most intense effort at home on Senior Night. Sanders scored 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, and attacked the backboards to the tune of a career-high 22 rebounds, with 17 of those coming on the defensive end, as the Bulldogs dominated in an 82-55 win over USC Upstate.

Sanders ranks third in the league in scoring at 18.0 points per game and paces the A-Sun with 11.0 rebounds per outing. His 22-rebound performance against USC Upstate represented the most for a single-game for a Gardner-Webb player in 38 years, since former NBA draft pick George Adams pulled down 26 against Warren Wilson College in February 1970. For the month of February, Sanders has averaged 13.7 rebounds per game, good enough to rank third in the country for the month.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is a 12-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gardner-Webb University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Other Top Performers

Marcus Allen, JU (Jr. – C – Hollywood, Fla. – Communication) – Scored over 20 points in both games, giving him 20-point efforts in seven of his last nine games; Picked up his second double-double in the last three games against KSU; Six double-doubles this season; Scored in double figures in 11 of last 12.

Grayson Flittner, GWU (So. – G – Sharpsville, Ind. – Elementary Education) – Averaged 26.5 points per game in two Gardner-Webb victories; Connected on 15-of-20 3-pt field goal attempts, including 9-of-12 vs ETSU; Set school single-season record for 3-pt FG with 94.

Justin Hare, BEL (Sr. – G – Cleveland, Tenn. – Exercise Science/Pre-Med) – Scored team-high 14 points and came up with two key steals in the final minutes to secure Belmont's 74-65 victory over Lipscomb; Ranks among the league leaders in scoring, free throw percentage, 3-pt percentage, and 3-pt FG per game.

Luke Payne, UPST (Sr. – G – Spartanburg, S.C. – Business) – Had 22 points and three assists to lead Upstate to a 21-point win at Campbell Thursday. Was 8-of-12 from the field and 4-of-8 from the three-point arc in the game.

Rob Quaintance, FGCU (Sr. – G – Glendale, Az. – Communications) – Scored 14 points to go along with six assists and seven steals (the top single game total in the A-Sun this year) in win at Stetson; Shot 5-7 from the floor and 2-4 from the three point line; Cracked A-Sun's top 25 single season steals totals.

Shuan Stegall, KSU (Sr. – F – Atlanta – Pyschology) – Posted back-to-back double-doubles as Owls split a pair of road games; Put up 19 points and 13 rebounds against Jacksonville and scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a win vs UNF; Has three straight double-doubles and seven on the year.

Related Links:
 • This Week in A-Sun Basketball