Gardner-Webb Suffers Setback At Houston In Season-Opening Game
November 15, 2008 | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON, Texas
– Sophomore Courtney Epps poured in a career-high 16 points as
Gardner-Webb opened the 2008-09 campaign in her hometown against
Houston, but it wasn't enough as the Bulldogs dropped a 79-58
decision.
Head coach Rick Reeves' team stands at 0-1 on the season while the
Cougars improve to 2-0.
Epps, getting just her fourth career start, connected on 6-of-13
shots from the field including three-of-five from behind the arc
for her 16 points. Redshirt-junior Laura Povilonyte also reached
double figures as she tallied 11 points in 34 minutes of action.
Povilonyte also grabbed seven rebounds in the game.
Coming off the bench, sophomore Ashley Falknor played just 15
minutes. However, she was impressive, grabbing a career-high nine
rebounds. She also netted six points, all of which came from the
three-point line.
Former all-Atlantic Sun Conference competitor Margaret Roundtree
nearly posted a double-double as she snared a team-high 10 boards
to go along with nine points in 25 minutes of action.
GWU struggled from the field in the contest. The squad hit just
10-of-39 shots in the opening stanza while missing all six of its
shots from the three-point line. The Bulldogs improved in the
second half, draining 13-of-38 shots for 34.2 percent, including
making six-of-13 from behind the arc. For the game, the Red and
Black hit 29.9 percent of its shots while the Cougars drilled 37.9
percent of their attempts.
The Bulldogs garnered 11 more shots from the floor as their
counterparts after earning 19 offensive rebounds. Overall, GWU was
out-rebounded, but only by one, 51-50.
After a quick jumper by Cobilyn Hill, the Bulldogs tied the contest
at 2-2 on junior Meranda Burnett's two charity tosses. Houston
regained the lead two possessions later only to have GWU tie it
again, this time from a jumper by Teonika Webb. Burnett was
credited with one of her team-best six assists on the play.
Although the Bulldogs kept it close for a few minutes, the Cougars
slowly pulled away as they scored the next 12 points for a 16-4
lead at the 11:27 mark.
Monique Hudson's jumper pulled GWU within six, 16-10, but it was
the closest the Bulldogs would get until under five minutes
remained in the opening half.
Dominique Hudson found a slicing Povilonyte for a lay-up with 3:56
to play. Povilonyte converted on the free throw, pulling the Red
and Black within four, 25-21. Houston responded with a 10-3 run to
close the half, giving the home team a 35-24 advantage at the
break.
Just 7:05 into the second half, GWU found itself facing a 50-32
deficit. Epps then went to work, connecting on a pair of threes.
Falknor also hit a trifecta as the Bulldogs climbed within 10,
53-43. Falknor's second three cut the margin to single figures,
63-55, with 6:13 to go in the contest. However, GWU could get no
closer as turnovers allowed the Cougars to increase their lead in
the final minutes of play.
The Bulldogs return to action Monday evening in their home opener.
GWU will host UVa-Wise at 7 p.m., in Paul Porter Arena.
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