GREENVILLE, S.C. --- Sophomore Alex Fusco (Marietta, Ga.) scored a career-high five goals on five shots, and Sadie Bryant (Charlottesville, Va.) posted four draw controls as Furman held off a late rally by Gardner-Webb en route to a 15-8 victory on Wednesday evening in non-conference play.

Furman (1-2) outscored Gardner-Webb (0-5) by a 10-3 margin in the first half, as the Runnin' Bulldogs tallied three goals on just five shots in the opening 30 minutes. The Paladins edged the Runnin' Bulldogs, 17-13, in ground balls while controlling 18-of-25 draws and limiting Gardner-Webb to 14 shots on the night.

Fusco paced the Runnin' Bulldogs with five goals and two draw controls, while Emma Rufolo (Woodstock, Md.) added two goals and three ground balls. Amanda Steinmuller (Ellicott, Md.) chipped in her third strike of the season and Cassidy McDowell (Cincinnati, Ohio) made eight saves. Emma Rose (Weston, Fla.) tallied an assist in the contest.

Devon Horine led the Paladins with four goals, as Ashley Trice added two goals and two assists. Meg Lingo and Abby Shields each tacked on two strikes, while Hannah Feinberg dished out two assists. Paige Gamble registered game-highs of nine draw controls and three caused turnovers, as Courtney Baker and Maggie Friel combined for four saves.

Furman jumped out to a 5-0 lead before Gardner-Webb responded when Fusco got the Runnin' Bulldogs on the board with a free position strike at the 19:11 mark. After Furman answered with a trio of goals, Rufolo and Fusco posted back-to-back tallies to trim the margin to 8-3 with 7:46 to go in the first half.

The Paladins would counter with two strikes to finish the period and take a 10-3 advantage into the break following a late tally from Isabelle Walsh.

The Runnin' Bulldogs fought back in the second half, equaling a pair of early Furman strikes with two of their own to trim the margin to 12-5 on Fusco's fourth of the night at the 15:19 mark. After Furman responded with two quick tallies, Gardner-Webb answered with three straight strikes from Fusco, Rufolo and Steinmuller to cut the lead to 14-8 with 2:46 left on the clock.

Furman quelled the rally with a late goal, equaling the final margin of 15-8 with an Alyssa Cooper strike inside the last minute of play.

Gardner-Webb returns to action on Saturday, March 5 when the Runnin' Bulldogs host St. Francis (Pa.) at 2:00 pm in Spangler Stadium.