CHARLOTTE, N.C. – #4 Gardner-Webb faced #1 Campbell on Saturday night in the semifinal round of the 2022 Hercules Tires Big South Conference Championships. Ultimately falling by a slim margin of one point, Campbell prevailed with a final score of 51-50.
Gardner-Webb (16-15, 13-5) shot 36.7% (18-for-49) from the floor, 26.7% (4-for-15) from beyond the arc, and 58.8% (10-for-17) from the charity stripe. The Runnin' Bulldogs capitalized off of 22 points in the paint, 13 points off of turnovers, and 9 fast break points.
Campbell (23-6,15-3) shot 35.7% from field-goal range, 11.1% (2-for-18) from deep, and 69.2% (9-for-13) from the free-throw line. The Camels scored 30 paint points, 14 points off of turnovers, and just as many off of the fast break.
Throughout tonight's contest neither team was able to pull away as the lead changed hands nine times through the night. Campbell was in control the ball for the majority of the night as they led for a total of 26 minutes.
After taking a two-point lead with 2:54 left in the first half, the Camels went on a 7-0 run to end the half and take a 28-23 lead heading into the half.
Campbell continued to keep Gardner-Webb away until Ki'ari Cain and
Emma Capps converted on three-pointers and tied the game with 1:19 left in the third quarter.
GWU opened the fourth with seven unanswered points to get their lead to four points. The 'Dogs went scoreless for the next seven minutes, allowing the Camels to swing a two-point deficit into a two-point lead. The Runnin' Bulldogs tied the game with 44 seconds left off a jumper by Williams and free throws by Cain with 10 seconds left gave them the lead.
Campbell called a timeout after this bucket to draw up a potential game-winning play. Luana Serranho drove to the left of the basket, made the shot, drew a foul, and made her free throw, giving the Camels the lead for good with only two seconds left, ending the Runnin' Bulldogs season short of a conference championship game appearance.
For the latest on Gardner-Webb Women's Basketball, follow @GWU_WBK on social media or visit GWUSports.com.
