MACON, Ga. – Gardner-Webb knocked down seven free throws in the final three minutes of play, surviving a late comeback effort to defeat Mercer, 65-62, Friday evening in Macon, Ga.
 
Gardner-Webb (5-3) built a seven-point advantage on a layup by Alexis Hueston with 5:06 left in the game, leading Mercer (3-9) by a score of 58-51.  The Runnin' Bulldogs would go cold from the floor for the remainder of the period, missing each of its six attempts from the floor, while the Bears would make 5-of-8 attempts over that stretch, pulling within one point of the lead on two occasions in the final 90 seconds of play.
 
The 'Dogs were sharp at the charity stripe over the final three minutes of play, making seven of eight attempts, including each of the four tries in the final 12 seconds of play.  Gabrielle Caponegro drained a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left to put GWU up by a 63-69 margin, but Mercer would immediately answer with a three pointer by Jaron Dougherty to pull within one marker with just seven seconds left.
 
The Bears would quickly foul to send Carley Plentovich to the line, who would sink both attempts to give GWU a three-point lead at 65-62 with six seconds left.  Mercer would miss the potential game-tying three by Tia Benvenuti in the final seconds, giving Gardner-Webb its second road win of the season.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs shot 35.5 percent (22-of-62) from the floor for the night, including an 8-of-20 effort from long distance and a 13-of-15 effort from the free throw line.  Mercer made 41.0 percent (25-of-61) of its baskets and was 5-of-11 from beyond the arc, as well as 7-of-12 from the free throw line.
 
GWU came out of the gate strong in the first period, opening up an eight-point lead at 13-5 with 4:55 on the clock after a three-point basket by Ki'ari Cain that capped a quick 6-0 spurt.  Mercer answered with a 10-2 run to close out the stanza, tying the score at 15-15.
 
The second quarter was tightly contested, as there were six lead changes and two ties.  GWU reclaimed the lead with 1:31 on the clock on a pair of free throws by Plentovich and closed the frame with a 6-2 run to hold a 30-26 lead at halftime.
 
The 'Dogs boosted their advantage to as many as eight points in the third period after a layup by Hueston with 5:19 on the clock, but the Bears chipped away at their deficit to close within three points, 47-44, as play headed to the fourth period.
 
Caponegro led a quartet of Runnin' Bulldogs with double-digit points with a 13-point night, going 5-of-9 from the floor.  Plentovich and Hueston each had 12 points, while Jhessyka Williams added 10 points.
 
Dougherty led all scorers with 21 points on a 9-of-21 performance, and also led Mercer with 13 rebounds.  Shannon Titus also had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs return to action Sunday afternoon at Georgia.  Tip-off is set for 2:00 pm from Stegeman Coliseum with live coverage on the SEC Network.