HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point used a 14-1 run late in the fourth quarter to go on to defeat Gardner-Webb by a 75-71 score in Big South Conference play Saturday afternoon inside the Millis Center.
Gardner-Webb (4-9, 4-4 Big South) led High Point (11-4, 9-1 Big South) by a 60-56 score with 5:34 to go in the final frame after a layup by
Alexis Hueston, but the Panthers responded by scoring 11 unanswered points over the 2:56 to take a 67-60 lead with 2:38 left.
GWU broke the run on its following possession on a made free throw by
Lauren Bevis with 2:13 on the clock, but HPU pushed its lead up to a game-high nine points on its next trip down the court as Claire Wyatt converted an old-fashioned three-point play.
The 'Dogs chipped away at High Point's lead over the final minutes, pulling within two points at 73-71 with just nine seconds left as
Alasia Smith scored while being fouled on a layup attempt, making the free throw to complete the three-point play.
The Panthers made both free throw attempts in their next possession to seal the 75-71 decision.
Gardner-Webb was 28-of-69 (40.6 percent) from the floor, including 8-of-20 (40.0 percent) from long distance. High Point made 23-of-42 (54.8 percent) attempts on the day, including a 10-of-20 (50.0 percent) effort from beyond the arc. Free throw shooting proved to be key factor, as High Point was 19-of-27 (70.4 percent) from the line, while Gardner-Webb only had 10 attempts on the day, making seven (70.0 percent).
The Runnin' Bulldogs had four scorers in double-digits on the day, led by Bevis with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 from long range, in 30 minutes of action from the bench. Hueston had a season-best 14 points on 7-of-14 shooting,
Ki'Ari Cain added 14 points on a 5-of-12 effort, and Smith had 12 points and 11 rebounds to record a double-double.
Skyler Curran paced the HPU attack with a double-double, pouring in a game-high 25 points along with 10 boards.
Gardner-Webb returns home to Paul Porter Arena on Friday, January 22, hosting USC Upstate. Tip-off is set for 6:00 pm with live coverage on ESPN+ (WatchESPN.com / ESPN App).
