CHARLESTON, S.C. – Gardner-Webb trailed Charleston Southern by as many as 12 points in the second quarter, but the Runnin' Bulldogs would battle back to claim the lead in the third quarter to go on take a 75-62 decision inside the Buc Dome in Big South Conference action Saturday afternoon.
 
Gardner-Webb (3-7, 3-2 Big South) fell behind Charleston Southern (5-4, 3-2 Big South) early, with the Buccaneers taking holding a double-digit advantage at the end of the opening frame after a near half-court heave by Kelsie Ruff-Mills went in as time expired, giving CSU a 23-12 lead.
 
The Bucs built their lead to as many as 12 points with 4:18 to go in the second period after Makenna Winans made a pair of free throws, but the Runnin' Bulldogs began to fight back with a 12-0 run over the next three minutes to tie the game at 35-35. The 'Dogs would trail CSU, 38-36, at the half.
 
Gardner-Webb tied the game once again at the onset of the third period on a put-back basket by Alexis Hueston and would take its first lead of the day at 40-38 on the following possession on a fast-break layup by Hueston with 8:46 to go.  Charleston Southern reclaimed the lead its next trip down the court and built a lead of five points with 4:00 on the clock on a three-point basket by Sharita Godfrey.  GWU responded with a 10-2 run to close out the frame, taking a 57-54 lead into the final period.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs controlled play throughout the fourth quarter, opening with a 12-1 run to hold a 69-55 lead with 4:46 left in the game.  GWU led by a game-high 15 points with 2:17 to go after Lauren Bevis knocked down a pair of free throws, and the 'Dogs would go on to take a 13-point win at 75-62.
 
Gardner-Webb went 27-of-80 (33.8 percent) from the floor, and just 5-of-26 (19.2 percent) from beyond the arc.  Charleston Southern made 20-of-46 (43.5 percent) of its attempts, including a 7-of-17 (41.2 percent) effort from long distance.  The Runnin' Bulldogs led virtually all remaining stat categories, outrebounding the Bucs by a 48-37 margin and scoring 28 points on 27 CSU turnovers while GWU only had 12 miscues that led to 17 points for the Buccaneers. 
 
Bevis led all scores on the day with 20 points on a 6-of-16 performance, including 4-of-11 from beyond the arc in 34 minutes of play off the bench.  Jhessyka Williams followed with 10 points and four steals.  Alasia Smith pulled down a game-high seven boards.
 
CSU was led offensively by Janaia Fargo with 14 points, followed by Carmella Walker with 11 points on the day.
 
Both teams square off again tomorrow at 1:00 pm to wrap up the season series.  Live coverage will be provided by ESPN+ (WatchESPN.com / ESPN App).