BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Four players scored in double figures as the Runnin' Bulldogs cruised to a 26-point win over the Western Carolina Catamounts, 88-62.

Gardner-Webb (3-1 overall) jumped out to a 6-0 lead off back-to-back triples by Carley Plentovich. Although Western Carolina pulled within one, 6-5, the 'Dogs used a 14-5 run over the next 5:41 with Lauren Bevis' free throws giving Gardner-Webb its first double-digit advantage with a minute remaining in the quarter.

After one quarter, the Runnin' Bulldogs held a 22-10 lead.

The 'Dogs took a 15-point lead off a Savannah Plentovich triple just 1:23 into the second quarter, but the Catamounts were able to fight back and get Gardner-Webb's lead to single digits. Each time the Catamounts mounted a run, the 'Dogs responded and used an 8-1 run over the final 2:33 of the half to take a 40-24 advantage into the locker room.

The Runnin' Bulldogs used seven triples, including four by C. Plentovich to build their halftime lead, and extended it to 23 points by the end of the third quarter.

Ki'Ari Cain led the Gardner-Webb with eight of the team's 25 points in the third period, connecting on 3-of-5 attempts. The Runnin' Bulldogs closed the period on a 7-0 run that began with Cain's three-pointer and also included fast break layups by Morgan Pointer and C. Plentovich. The home team held a 65-42 lead at the end of the third.

Freshman Lauren Bevis scored eight of the team's 23 points in the final quarter of play. She finished with a career-high 19 points.

The 88-62 win is Gardner-Webb's largest margin of victory on the young season. All three of the Runnin' Bulldogs' victories have been by double digits. The 'Dogs defeated Wofford by 14 in the home opener, Appalachian State by 11 on the road and now Western Carolina by an impressive 26 points.

Gardner-Webb shot a hot 47.7 percent from the floor (31-of-65) and made a season-high 11 three-pointers. Carley and Savannah Plentovich combined to make 11 of the team's triples.

Western Carolina hit just 35.7 percent of their attempts (20-of-56) with 11-of-20 field goals coming from beyond the three-point line. Both teams shot a shade under 80 percent from the charity stripe as Gardner-Webb connected on 15-of-19 free throws, while the Catamounts made 11-of-14 tries.

The Catamounts' Jewel Smalls carried the visitors with a remarkable 32-point, 12-rebound and 5-assist performance. Lauren LaPlant was the only other Catamount to reach double figures with 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting and 2-for-2 at the free throw line.

In addition to Bevis' 19 points, C. Plentovich had 18 points while S. Plentovich and Williams contributed 15 and 11 points respectively. S. Plentovich finished two rebounds away from a double-double with a team-best eight boards, while Cain led the 'Dogs with seven dimes – a new career-high.

Gardner-Webb will return to action following Thanksgiving when it hosts the Furman Paladins on Saturday, November 30 at 2 p.m. Any fan who brings two canned food items to the ticket booth will receive free admission to the game. The game can be seen live on ESPN+ with Fabian Fuentes on the call.