BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb outscored USC Upstate by a 13-5 margin in the third quarter to go on to take a 62-52 decision in Big South Conference action Friday night inside Paul Porter Arena.
 
Gardner-Webb (5-9, 5-4 Big South) led USC Upstate (4-12, 2-9 Big South), 35-32, at the half, and quickly expanded the lead to double-digits with an 8-0 run to open the third period.  The
Dogs led by as much as 14 points with 3:52 to go in the frame after a three-point basket by Alasia Smith and would lead by 11 points at 48-37 as play headed to the final quarter.
 
The Spartans chipped away at GWU's lead throughout the opening minutes of the fourth period, pulling within seven points with 4:22 to go after Denijsha Wilson sank a pair of free throws to set the score at 52-45.  The Runnin' Bulldogs responded with a quick 8-0 spurt, leading by a game-high 15 points at 60-45 with 2:20 to go after a deep three by Lauren Bevis, shutting down the Upstate comeback effort.  GWU would take the contest by a 10-point margin at 62-52.
 
Gardner-Webb was 23-of-59 (39.0 percent) from the floor, and was 8-of-24 (33.3 percent) from long range.  USC Upstate was 17-of-52 (32.7 percent) for the night, and just 3-of-12 (25.0 percent) from three-point range.
 
Ki'Ari Cain and Smith each had 17 points to lead the Gardner-Webb offense.  Cain was 7-of-10 on the night, including 3-of-4 from long distance, along with five assists.  Smith had a 6-of-11 effort along with seven rebounds.  Bevis followed with 16 points, 11 coming in the first period, on 4-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.  Gabrielle Caponegro pulled down a team-high 11 boards.
 
The Spartans were led on the evening by Molly Coleman with 14 points and 12 rebounds.  McKinney Brooks-Sumpter followed with a nine-point, nine-rebound effort.
 
Both teams face off again tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 pm, with live coverage on ESPN3 (WatchESPN.com / ESPN App).