Middleton scores 18 points to lead Winthrop to 69-64 victory over Gardner-Webb

Winthrop knocks off Gardner-Webb 69-64

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Reggie Middleton scored 18 points to lead Winthrop to a 69-64 victory over Gardner-Webb on Tuesday night, the Eagles’ seventh straight victory.

Matt Morgan added 17 points for Winthrop (15-10, 11-4 Big South Conference), which overcame shooting 34.5 percent from the field (20-for-58) for its 10th victory in 11 games.

Grayson Flittner hit three consecutive free throws to give Gardner-Webb (7-19, 5-10) a 50-49 lead with 5:15 remaining, but the Eagles scored the next nine points for a 58-50 advantage with 2:15 to play. Middleton then hit a free throw and layup to give Winthrop a 61-51 advantage with 51 seconds to play.

The Eagles went 8-for-10 from the line in the final 45 seconds.

Robbie Dreher had 12 points and Charles Corbin scored 10 for Winthrop.

Flittner, C.J. Hailey and Stefon Johnson scored 12 points each for Gardner-Webb. Johnson added 10 rebounds.