THE GAME
Gardner-Webb opens its 2022-2023 home schedule on Saturday afternoon, hosting Southern Conference member UNC Greensboro at 2:00 pm in Paul Porter Arena. The game will air live on ESPN+, with "Magic" Mike Foiles and Sarah Jansen on the call. The game will also air on ESPNCLT.com with Mark Binetti on the headset.


GARDNER-WEBB QUICK LOOK
* Gardner-Webb forced 34 turnovers in its season opener, helped by 18 steals at Clemson.

* After falling behind 28-8 in the first quarter, Gardner-Webb played the Tigers even in the second half. GWU won the third quarter (17-12) and fell by just five in the fourth quarter (20-15).

* The Runnin' Bulldogs shot a solid 76.9 percent from the free throw line at Clemson (10-of-13), a great sign for a team that prides itself on getting into the paint for either kick outs or drives to the rim.

* Saturday marks the first of two-straight games against the Southern Conference, with a trip to Furman slated for Tuesday night in Greenville, S.C. GWU went 2-0 against the league last season, beating ETSU and UNC Greensboro in Conway, S.C. 

* GWU is 2-2 under Alex Simmons in home openers, dropping those contests in each of the last two seasons after wins in 2018 and 2019. 

* Gardner-Webb is 38-17 at home since Alex Simmons' arrival on campus. GWU has posted a winning season at home in each of her seasons as head coach, including an 11-3 mark in Paul Porter Arena in 2019-2020.

* Three of Gardner-Webb's first five games are at home this season. The Runnin' Bulldogs have posted a winning record on their home court in nine consecutive seasons and are riding a five-game win streak inside Paul Porter Arena.

* Jhessyka Williams scored 18 points to lead four in double figures in a 65-63 win over UNC Greensboro last November in Conway, S.C. The game was the second of a round robin tournament hosted by Coastal Carolina. Lauren Bevis added 16 points and both Alasia Smith and Ki'Ari Cain scored 10, as Gardner-Webb had 11 steals in the win.

* Gardner-Webb is 3-2 in the series vs. UNC Greensboro, including a 2-0 mark in Paul Porter Arena.

* Lauren Bevis is just 95 points away from reach the 1,000-point club Gardner-Webb. The sharpshooter has made 164-of-447 shots from long distance during her career (.367) and is an 85.4 percent free throw shooter.

* Wing Jhessyka Williams has netted 1,382 career points (11.9 ppg) and has now made 513 field goals during her time with the Runnin' Bulldogs.

* Gardner-Webb returns 91.2 percent of its scoring from last season, including All-Big South performers Alasia Smith, Williams and Bevis.

* Smith, the Big South's Preseason Player of the Year, has scored 727 career points in just two seasons and one game. She also has grabbed 487 rebounds – just 13 shy of the 500 mark. She needs to more offensive boards to reach 200 for her career.

* Gardner-Webb was tabbed first in the Big South's preseason poll for the first time since joining the league in 2008-2009.

* Ki'Ari Cain, another return starter for Simmons, needs only 32 more assists to reach 300 for her career. The Sumter, S.C., senior had a career-best 131 helpers last season while also averaging 9.6 points per game.

* Gardner-Webb returns home on November 19 to host Georgia Southern in another non-conference battle. That tip is set for 5:00 pm in Paul Porter Arena.