BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Lauren Bevis scorched the nets for 26 points and Gardner-Webb handled Longwood 83-71 Wednesday night for its seventh-straight win.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (15-4, 7-0 Big South) maintained their hold on first place in the league standings, shooting a sharp 52.6 percent for the game (30-of-57).

Bevis was one of four women in double figures, joined by Jhessyka Williams (17 points, nine rebounds), Alasia Smith (16 points, 13 rebounds) and Ki'Ari Cain (10 points, seven assists).

Longwood (3-15, 2-5 Big South) used a trapping defense early that forced several early mistakes by the 'Dogs and allowed the Lancers a slight 20-17 lead at the end of the first quarter.

What followed effectively put the game away.

Gardner-Webb sprinted on a 13-0 run to change momentum and led 39-31 at halftime.

It was more of the same for the Runnin' Bulldogs in the third quarter, as some hot shooting (68.6 percent) over that 10-minute stretch allowed Gardner-Webb to score 29 points. A long trey by Smith from the right corner pushed the lead to 72-52 with 7:20 left in the game.

GWU went deep into its bench for much of the final moments, and Longwood closed on a 6-0 run for the final margin.

Bevis was 9-of-13 from the floor and made 4-of-7 from long range to reach her season-high scoring total. Williams was 6-of-10 in 26 minutes of action and Smith finished the night 7-of-9 herself.

Gardner-Webb made 15-of-16 free throws and overcame 24 turnovers – with 11 of those miscues coming in the first quarter. GWU cleaned up the glass with 36 boards (+12) and forced 21 Lancer turnovers

Longwood went 22-of-53 for the game (41.5 percent) and made 23-of-30 free throws to keep the game from being blown wide open.

Anne-Hamilton Leroy and Adriana Shipp led the Lancers with 18 points each amd Janay Turner added 14.

Gardner-Webb will be back in action at home on Saturday, hosting Winthrop at 2:00 pm in Paul Porter Arena. Tickets can be purchased online at GWUSports.com.