CLINTON, S.C. – Gardner-Webb survived a comeback effort by Presbyterian in the final minutes of play Thursday evening to earn a 47-44 win in Big South Conference action inside the Templeton Center in Clinton, S.C.
 
Gardner-Webb (1-5, 1-1 Big South) earned its first win of the season in dramatic fashion.  Leading by five points with 3:07 remaining, Presbyterian (2-2, 1-1 Big South) quickly scored four straight points to pull within a single point with 1:26 to go.
 
Neither team would score during its next possession, until Jhessyka Williams was sent to the free throw line with 21 seconds remaining, where she drained both attempts to give GWU a three-point advantage.
 
The Blue Hose cut GWU's lead back to one point with 14 seconds on the clock on a pair of free throws by Trinity Johnson, but Lauren Bevis would be fouled by PC immediately, and the sophomore connected with both attempts from the stripe to give the 'Dogs a 47-44 lead with 13 seconds to go.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, freshman Alasia Smith provided a huge block on a three-point attempt to tie the game by Tess Santos with four seconds to go, and another last second attempt by Nyah Willis was blocked by Williams was stuffed to seal the win for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
 
Gardner-Webb controlled most of the first half of action, opening the contest with an 11-0 run to hold an 11-2 lead over the Blue Hose at the end of the first period.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs pushed their lead to as many as 12 points following a basket by Lyrissa Deans with 4:23 on the clock in the second quarter, but Presbyterian would begin to battle back, closing the half with 11 unanswered points to shrink GWU's lead to just one points at 21-20 at the half.
 
Gardner-Webb stopped the Presbyterian run at the onset of the third quarter with a quick 4-0 run, capped by a pair of free throws by Gabrielle Caponegro with 9:06 on the clock, to push its lead to five points.  Both teams swapped baskets throughout the remainder of the frame, with the 'Dogs taking a 34-29 advantage into the final quarter.
 
GWU was 16-of-59 (27.1 percent) from the floor, including a 4-of-25 effort from long distance.  From the free throw line, the 'Dogs were 11-of-15 (73.3 percent).  Williams paced the Gardner-Webb offense with 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting, followed by Bevis with 10 points on a 2-of-8 effort.
 
Presbyterian made 14-of-44 (31.8 percent) of its attempts on the night, but was 0-for-10 from beyond the arc.  Johnson was PC's leading scorer with 17 points on 5-of-12 shooting.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs step out of Big South play for their next bout, taking on Vanderbilt in the final non-conference matchup of the season on Sunday afternoon.  Tip-off is slated for 3:00 pm inside Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn. with live coverage on SEC Network + (WatchESPN.com / ESPN App).