BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Just four days after a comeback win over Presbyterian, the Gardner-Webb women's basketball team's comeback attempt against the Winthrop fell short as the Runnin' Bulldogs were defeated, 64-62.

Gardner-Webb (9-8, 3-2 Big South) never led by more than six in the opening half, but it was Neydja Petithomme's conversion that put the 'Dogs up six at the end of each period.

The Runnin' Bulldogs hit just 32.4 percent (11-of-34) of their shots in the first half but still built a six-point lead, 30-24, at the intermission. Winthrop shot slightly better over the first 20 minutes, hitting 40.7 percent (11-of-27) of its attempts. The big story of the opening half was at the three-point line as Gardner-Webb hit four triples, while Winthrop was 0-for-2.

Gardner-Webb would lead by as many as nine points on two occasions in the third quarter, first thanks to a deep trey from Carley Plentovich and later via a layup from Ky'Asia Stanford.

Winthrop (8-9 4-2 BSC) would cut the lead to six by the end of the quarter and Destinee Riley scored the first five points of the fourth period for the Eagles.  

Winthrop would take a 42-41 lead via a three-pointer with 8:44 remaining, but 80 seconds later C. Plentovich would put Gardner-Webb back on top with a three-pointer of her own. Plentovich's three made it a 44-42 ball game.

Gabrielle Caponegro would extend the Runnin' Bulldogs' lead to four with 6:34 remaining in the contest but a 14-0 Eagles run put the Visitors in front by 10, 56-46 with less than four minutes to go.

Trailing by seven with just 2:03 left, Gardner-Webb pulled within one thanks to Petithomme's layup with just 61 ticks of the clock left. Petithomme's layup capped off a 7-1 run in favor of the 'Dogs.

The Runnin' Bulldogs were able to battle back and tie the game at 62 via Capoengro's putback with eight seconds left.

Winthrop took possession and a jumper from the left elbow by Jah'che Whitfield swished through to put the Eagles in front.

Following a timeout to advance the ball, the Runnin' Bulldogs were unable to find Capeongro and ultimately fell, 64-62.

The 'Dogs shot 32.4 percent (22-of-68) from the floor and were led by Pettihomme's game-high 16 points. C. Plentovich (13 points), Jhessyka Williams (11 points) and Caponegro (10 points) also scored in double figures. Caponegro collected 11 rebounds for a double-double.

The Eagles shot 12 percent better than Gardner-Webb, hitting 25-of-59 shots attempts in the win. Kem Nwabudu led Winthrop with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Gardner-Webb will play inside Paul Porter Arena for the second straight game when it hosts USC Upstate on Tuesday, January 22 at 6 p.m.