LYNCHBURG, Va. – Jessica Heilig scored 14 points and Olivia Parker pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, but Liberty led wire-to-wire and held off a gritty effort by Gardner-Webb, 56-47, Saturday night.

Heilig reached double figures for the fourth game in a row and was part of a tough defensive effort that limited Liberty to just 32.1 percent from the field.

Gardner-Webb (3-6, 0-2 Big South) fell victim to 26 turnovers on the night, with Liberty (6-2, 2-0 Big South) converting those into 30 points and a 15-point edge in that key statistical category.

A tough, determined Gardner-Webb effort in the final 20 minutes kept the game tight, after Liberty pushed a 25-20 halftime lead all the way to 14 points – at 47-33 – with just 6:30 left in the game.

GWU responded to that deficit with a 12-0 run, trimming the lead to 47-45 with 2:49 left on two free throws by freshman Alexus Hill – who scored six points in the spurt to tighten the game considerably.

Liberty kept the Runnin' Bulldogs from getting any closer, however, making 9-of-9 free throws in the final 2:03 for the final margin. Gardner-Webb missed its final four field goal chances down the stretch, with a pair of Mayhana Dunovant free throws with 35 seconds left capping the scoring for the visitors.

In addition to Heilig's scoring, Gardner-Webb got 10 points from Hill in just 18 minutes. GWU shot just 23.1 percent for the game – but held strong on the backboards with 40 caroms.

Liberty put three players in double figures, led by Simone Brown's 15 markers.

Gardner-Webb returns home to host Tennessee Temple on Thursday, December 18, at 7:00 pm in Paul Porter Arena.