Box Score HIGH POINT, N.C. - Gardner-Webb women's basketball put themselves back in the win column on Wednesday night, as the Runnin' Bulldogs topped the High Point Panthers in Big South opener action with a final score of 64-50.
 
"Jhessyka Williams and Alasia Smith did a great job, especially on the defensive end," said head Coach Alex Simmons. "They were both very disciplined on the defensive end and that's our identity. We set some goals going into this game and we accomplished all of them. High Point is a very good team with multiple weapons and I thought we handled their half-court offense very well."
 
Tonight's win for the 'Dogs was the first win over the Panthers in just under two years, which brought the Panther's three-game win streak to a screeching halt after the conference opener. 
 
Gardner-Webb shot 38.7% (24-for-62) in field-goal range, 30.8% (4-for-13) from deep, and 66.7% (12-for-18) at the free-throw line. GWU capitalized off of 21 second-chance points and 12 points off of turnovers.  
 
High Point shot 25.4% (16-for-63) from the floor, 26.1% (6-for-23) from beyond the arc, and 66.7% (12-for-18). HPU scored 20 points in the paint and 16 points off of turnovers.
 
Senior Jhessyka Williams led the scoring efforts for the Runnin' Bulldogs, as she put up 19 points (7-20 FG, 1-2 3PT, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Williams notched her fourth double-double of the season and the sixth of her career. 
 
Sophomore Alasia Smith followed with 17 points (7-14 FG, 0-3 3PT), 13 rebounds, three blocks, and two assists. Smith also ended the night with a double-double, which was her second of the season and fourth in her career. 
 
"Our post did a great job tonight as well. It was a group effort for them with Layken Cox, Emma Capps, Alasia Smith, and Lyrissa Deans," said Coach Simmons.  "Our coaching staff have been working very hard with that group to rebound better and score in the paint. We knew we had to get paint points to win and they did a great job of taking responsibility for getting it done for the team. Lyrissa was very poised and aggressive at the rim, as she had 9 points and 9 rebounds tonight and really was a force inside for us."
 
Redshirt senior Lyrissa Deans had a breakout night for herself, as she matched her career-high nine points (4-11 FG, 1-2 FT) and grabbed a career-high nine rebounds under the net. 
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs will return home to Paul Porter Arena on Saturday, January 1 to set off the new calendar year against the Campbell University Camels. The New Years' day matchup is set to tipoff at 2 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+.  
 
For the latest on Gardner-Webb Women's Basketball, follow @GWU_WBK on social media or visit GWUSports.com.