Gavin, Winthrop beat Presbyterian 67-53 in Big South tourney

BUIES CREEK, N.C. (AP) Jimmy Gavin had 21 points, including five 3-pointers, with eight rebounds and three steals, and Xavier Cooks scored 19 to help second-seeded Winthrop beat No. 10 seed Presbyterian 67-53 in the quarterfinals of the Big South Conference tournament on Friday night.

Winthrop will face No. 6 seed Gardner-Webb in the semifinals Saturday.

The Eagles took a 24-19 lead into halftime, and a 3-pointer by Keon Johnson put them up 41-24 with 14:58 to play.

Presbyterian (11-20) used a 17-4 run to pull within five about seven minutes later, but Gavin answered with a pair of 3-pointers to push the lead to 53-42 with 6:37 left and Winthrop cruised from there.

DeSean Murray led the Blue Hose with 24 points, while Ed Drew scored 10 with 11 rebounds.

Winthrop (22-8) had 18 assists on 23 made field goals.