SPARTANBURG, SC – After leading for the majority of the first three quarters, Gardner-Webb surrendered the lead early in the fourth quarter but quickly regained it to defeat the USC Upstate Spartans, 75-67, in the regular season finale on Saturday.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (16-14, 10-8 Big South) entered the fourth quarter with a 55-51 lead, but a 5-0 USC Upstate run gave the Spartans the lead with 8:51 remaining.

USC Upstate's (7-22, 3-15 BSC) lead lasted a mere 20 seconds as freshman Jhessyka Williams' putback off a missed Neydja Petithomme three-pointer put the Runnin' Bulldogs in front. Williams was fouled on the play and would hit the free throw to give the 'Dogs a 58-56 lead.

The Spartans were unable to regain control in front of the home crowd, although after GWU took a four-point lead, the USC Upstate would get within two on its senior day.

USC Upstate made it a one-possession game, 66-63 with under three minutes to go, but a pair of free throws by Savannah Plentovich pushed Gardner-Webb's advantage back to five.

S. Plentovich's free throws were the last points for either team for over 90 seconds until twin sister Carley Plentovich hit a pair of shots at the charity stripe 13 seconds apart to extend the Runnin' Bulldogs' lead to seven, 70-63, with 50 seconds left.

The two teams continued to evenly trade points, and after Petithomme put the 'Dogs up seven with 31 seconds remaining, a costly turnover by Upstate's Brianna Lewis sealed the deal and ended any thought of a comeback for the Spartans.

Petithomme would also score Gardner-Webb's final point of the contest – a free throw with 18 seconds – as the 'Dogs earned the 75-67 road win to close out the regular season.

Gardner-Webb had four players in double figures, with senior Ky'Asia Stanford leading the way. Stanford scored 18 points and shot 60 percent from the floor. C. Plentovich (15 points), Petithomme (11 points) and S. Plentovich (10 points) also reached double figures.

The Runnin' Bulldogs shot 50 percent from the floor for the night but were 12 percent better in the first half, hitting 55 percent of their attempts, compared to just 43 percent over the final 20 minutes.  

USC Upstate Riley Popplewell and Lewis each scored 15 points. Lewis dished out seven assists, and the team also got 12 points from De'Nisha Swain. The Spartans shot relatively even percentages in each half and ended the game 24-of-55 (43.6 percent).

With the win and a Campbell loss at High Point, Gardner-Webb has clinched the No. 5 seed for the upcoming Big South Conference tournament. The Runnin' Bulldogs will play in the quarterfinals against No. 4 either UNC Asheville or Hampton. The game will take place on the campus of Radford University on Thursday, March 14 at 8 p.m.