BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – A balanced offensive attack by Gardner-Webb, as three players reached double-digits in scoring, propelled the Runnin' Bulldogs to a 71-59 win over visiting Winthrop in Big South Conference action on Monday night.
 
Gardner-Webb (7-6, 2-2 Big South) handed Winthrop (5-7, 2-1 Big South) its first league loss of the season, making seven more three-point baskets than the Eagles and winning the rebound battle, 41-29.
 
Neither team got off to a hot start offensively in the first quarter, with the score sitting at 4-2 in GWU's favor at the media timeout with 4:32 on the clock.  The Runnin' Bulldogs saw their shots begin to fall towards the end of the frame, as Lauren Bevis knocked down a pair of threes off of the bench to take a 12-11 lead at the end of the quarter.
 
The second period saw Winthrop build a three-point lead at 26-23 with 4:10 on the clock after a three-point basket by Sydney Buckley, but the 'Dogs would respond in their next possession with Carley Plentovich connecting from long distance to spark an 11-2 run to close the half, giving GWU a 34-28 edge.
 
Gardner-Webb controlled the remainder of action, expanding its lead to 13 at 55-42 to conclude the third period, and would push the lead to 18 points at 66-48 with 5:23 left in the fourth period on a corner three by Ki'Ari Cain.  Winthrop scored six unanswered points over the next 1:28, but would pull no closer, as GWU would win by a 12-point margin at 71-59.
 
Plentovich led a trio of Runnin' Bulldogs in double-digits with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.  Jhessyka Williams had 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting, and Bevis totaled 13 points on a 4-of-8 performance.
 
Destinee Jamison-Whitfield led Winthrop with a game-high 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting.  Anika Riley added 10 points.
 
Gardner-Webb travels to Campbell for its next matchup on Thursday evening.  Tip-off is slated for 7:00 pm with live coverage on ESPN+.