BOILING SPRINGS- The Gardner-Webb University women's basketball team looks to rebound from its heartbreaking one point loss (68-67) against Davidson when it hosts N.C. Central Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in the last home game before Thanksgiving
Fans that bring a canned good to the game, will receive free admission into the event.
The Game
Gardner-Webb plays its final home game before Thanksgiving on Saturday, when it hosts North Carolina Central at 3:00 p.m. in Paul Porter Arena. N.C. Central enters Saturday's matchup with an overall record of 1-1. The Eagles defeated Western Carolina (64-59) in their season-opener and are coming off a 65-60 defeat at Campbell on Monday night. Saturday's game will be broadcast live on the Big South Network and on WGWG.com with Jared Pankhurst on the call.
Last Time Out
The Runnin' Bulldogs are coming off a narrow 68-67 loss to Davidson on Thursday evening. Thursday's game saw senior Jessica Heilig make her season-debut, as she had missed the first three games of the season due to injury. Gardner-Webb forced 22 turnovers by Davidson and went 17-27 from the free-throw line in the loss. Heilig had a chance to possibly win the game, or send the game into overtime as she went to the free-throw line for two shots with just two seconds remaining. The senior missed both of the free-throws, and GWU lost a nail-biter by one point.
Series Notes
This is the seventh meeting between GWU and NC Central since Gardner-Webb transitioned to the Division I level in the 2000-01 season. The Runnin' Bulldogs lead the series with a 5-1 record, and won the first five meetings before losing its most recent matchup, 89-58 on Nov. 25, 2013.
Home-Court Advantage
The Runnin' Bulldogs posted a 13-2 record at Paul Porter Arena last year, which was tied for first in the Big South Conference for the best home court record. Since it joined the Big South Conference in 2008, Gardner-Webb has 59 home wins, which ranks second in the Big South over that time span and trails over Liberty, who has 67 victories.
Non- Conference Success
Gardner-Webb continues to have success in its non-conference games, and this season is no different. Out of the nine non-conference games this season, the Runnin' Bulldogs have winning records against eight of their nine opponents, including undefeated records against both Montreat and Tennessee Temple.
Big South Success
Head Coach Rick Reeves enters his 11th season as head coach of the Gardner-Webb women's baskeball team. The longest tenured coach in GWU women's basketball history, Reeves' teams have appeared in the conference tournament in 10 of 11 seasons.
Rebounding Dominance
Last season, the Runnin' Bulldogs outrebounded their opponents in all but six of its games and ranked second in the conference in total rebounds per game. Rebounding has been a staple in teams coached by Rick Reeves, as Gardner-Webb has ranked in the top four of the Big South conference in rebounds per game every year since 2008, and has been as high as second on three different occasions.
