BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – A hot start by the visiting Radford Highlanders was too much for the Runnin' Bulldogs to overcome, as Gardner-Webb would fall by an 84-73 decision Saturday afternoon in Big South Conference play.
 
Gardner-Webb (9-9, 4-5 Big South) fell behind early, as Radford (8-10, 6-3) opened the contest with a 16-0 run.  GWU would trim their deficit to single digits in the frame at 24-15 on a steal and a layup by Ki'Ari Cain with 25 seconds on the clock, but Aiden Rainford would score on the next possession for the Highlanders to set the score at 26-15 after one period.
 
Both teams essentially traded baskets throughout the duration of the second period, with the 'Dogs pulling within eight points at 37-29 on a three-point basket by Morgan Pointer with 1:11 left and would trail Radford by eight at 38-29 at the half.
 
The Highlanders opened the third period with a 13-3 run to expand their lead over GWU to 19 points at 51-32 with 6:15 on the clock.  The Runnin' Bulldogs began to fight back with a 15-3 run, closing within five points on a Savannah Plentovich three pointer with 1:32 on the clock, but Radford scored five unanswered points to close out the stanza to lead by a 60-50 margin as play headed to the final period.
 
The final period opened with a quick 6-0 run by GWU, cutting its deficit to four points at 60-56 after a steal and layup by Jhessyka Williams with 8:10 on the clock.  Radford pushed its lead back out to 10 points with 10 points with 4:11 to go, yet the Runnin' Bulldogs would deliver one last comeback effort as Plentovich knocked down back-to-back threes to pull within four points of the lead at 72-68 with 3:03 to go.
 
Radford responded with a 6-0 run over the next two minutes to expand its lead back to double-digits, and would go on to take an 11-point decision at 84-73.
 
Plentovich led Gardner-Webb with a career-high 30 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including 7-of-9 from long distance.  Williams added 17 points on a 6-of-10 effort.
 
Radford had three players post double-doubles on the afternoon, led by Sydney Nunley with 25 points and 11 rebounds.  Khiana Johnson totaled 22 points and 10 assists, while Amile Ngwafang had an 11-point, 10-rebound outing.
 
For the game, Gardner-Webb went 26-of-61 (42.6 percent) from the floor, while Radford shot at a 28-of-48 (58.3 percent) rate.  The Highlanders outrebounded the Runnin' Bulldogs by a 44-23 margin and outscored the 'Dogs on second-chance opportunities by a 16-0 margin.
 
 
Gardner-Webb remains at home for its next contest, hosting High Point on Tuesday, January 28 at 7:00 pm inside Paul Porter Arena.  Live coverage of the game can be found on ESPN+.