Gardner-Webb 64, Troy 62

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Chris Gash's basket from the left wing helped top-seeded Gardner-Webb to a 64-62 victory over eighth-seeded Troy in the first round of the Atlantic Sun Conference basketball tournament Thursday.

Gash took a pass from T.J. McCullough, who drove the lane in the final seconds, and made his shot from just inside the 3-point arc to help the Bulldogs (17-11) avoid the upset.

Gardner-Webb advances to the Friday tournament semifinals to face the winner of Thursday night's Lipscomb-Jacksonville game.

Troy (12-18) led for much of the game and held a 58-50 advantage with eight minutes to play. But, Gardner-Webb battled back, tying the game twice in the final two minutes before earning the victory on Gash's decisive shot.

Corey Hornsby kept the Trojans in the contest with a game-high 26 points on 11 of 14 shooting.

Four Gardner-Webb players posted double figures, led by Simon Conn with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Brian Bender added 13 points, Gash scored 12 and Tim Jennings finished with 10.

Troy's Ryan Heck had 11 points.