CONWAY, S.C. - Gardner-Webb women's basketball went on a 7-0 run at the free-throw line with under one minute to go, which earned the team its first victory of the 2021-22 season. The Runnin' Bulldogs beat the Buccaneers with a final score of 78-72.
 
 "We hit some adversity in the third quarter but we were able to persevere and withstand some of ETSU's runs," said head coach Alex Simmons. "We schedule tough games with a purpose, so for our first win to not only be on the road but on neutral territory as well is a huge confidence builder for our team."

GWU (1-4) shot 37.7 percent (23-for-61) from the floor, 37.9 percent (11-for-29) from deep, and 84.0 percent (21-for-25) at the free-throw line. In tonight's game, the 'Dogs led the Bucs for approximately 29 minutes and scored 18 points in the paint while converting off of 17 turnovers.
 
ETSU (1-5) shot 48.2 percent (27-for-56) from field goal range, 38.5 percent (5-for-13) from beyond the arc, and 56.5 percent (13-for-23) from the free-throw line. The Bucs scored 29 total bench points, along with 42 points in the paint. 
 
The 'Dogs had three players put double figures on the board tonight, as Junior Lauren Bevis led the offensive scoring efforts with a career-high of 32 points (9-for-19 field goal range, 9-for-15 beyond the arc, and 5-for-6 at the free-throw line). Bevis' night is one for the record books, as she now holds the program record for most three-pointers made in a single game, and is tied for second for most points scored in a single game in program history. 

"Lauren had a very solid performance tonight," said Simmons. "Bevis allowed the game to come to her and really played efficiently with composure. We have been challenging [Bevis] on the defensive end and tonight she came through and improved on those defensive aspects."
 
Senior Jhessyka Williams put up 15 points (6-for-16 field goals, 1-for-5 beyond the arc, and 5-for-6 free-throws) and grabbed 14 rebounds (4 offensive, 10 defense) which put her en route to a first-double double. This marks the first double-double of the season for Williams and the third double-double of her career. 
 
"We challenged Jhessyka after our last game to not only be an offensive player," said Simmons. "I thought against Mercer, she let her offense affect her overall game. Tonight, against ETSU she overcame some of her offensive woes and made up for it in rebounding."
 
Junior Ki'Ari Cain put up 13 points for the Runnin' Bulldogs, shooting 2-for-8 in field-goal range, 1-for-5 beyond the arc, and a perfect 8-for-8 at the free-throw line. Cain also helped the offensive front by contributing seven total assists. 

"All around, we played good team defense," said Simmons. "Offensively we were able to get rotations and have pretty good ball movements as well."
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs will be back in action at the Coastal Carolina Thanksgiving Classic on Sunday, November 28, as they take on UNC Greensboro. Tip time is set for 11 am.
 
For the latest on Gardner-Webb Women's Basketball, follow @GWU_WBK on social media or visit GWUSports.com.