CLEMSON, S.C. – Gardner-Webb ran into a hot-shooting Clemson team Monday morning, falling 81-54 on the road in both teams' season opener.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (0-1) took a very early 4-3 lead, but saw the Tigers (1-0) go on a 15-0 run from there to seize control of the game. Clemson went on to shoot 76.9 percent for the first quarter and led 28-8 after 10 minutes.
The lead grew as large as 32 points in the second quarter and Clemson took a 49-22 lead into the locker room. The Runnin' Bulldogs shot 21.2 percent in the first half (7-of-33) in a physical game that saw the two teams combine for 24 first-half fouls and 34 turnovers before the break.
Gardner-Webb recovered out of the break, opening the third quarter with 15 points over the first 5:32 to cut the Clemson lead to 57-37 at the initial media timeout. The Tigers pulled away from there.
Lauren Bevis led the Runnin' Bulldogs with 10 points,
Alasia Smith and
Micahla Funderburk each had eight and
Ki'Ari Cain scored six. GWU did force 34 turnovers and had 18 steals – with Smith collecting five herself.
Gardner-Webb shot 27.5 percent for the game (19-of-69), made 71.4 percent from the free throw line (10-of-14) and pulled down 15 offensive rebounds. Layken Cox had six points and eight boards in a starting effort in the post.
Clemson cooled off in the second half, shooting just 40.6 percent, but finished at 51.7 percent for the game (30-of-58). Freshman and recent McDonald's All-America guard Ruby Whitehorn had a game-high 17 points, Amari Robinson scored 14 and Nunu Bradford scored 10 to lead the Tigers.
Gardner-Webb returns to action on Saturday afternoon in Paul Porter Arena, hosting UNC Greensboro at 2:00 pm (ESPN+). The game will also air live on ESPNCLT.com.
