BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb women's basketball hosts Winthrop on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 pm and all youth basketball players who wear a team jersey will receive free admission.

Any family members accompanying a youth player to the game can purchase discounted tickets at the door – $5 for adults and $3 for children.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (15-4, 7-0 Big South) enter Saturday's matchup with two-game lead in the league standings and are a perfect 9-0 at home so far this season in Paul Porter Arena. Head coach Alex Simmons' squad is receiving votes in the Mid Major Top 25 and is off to the best start to a season since the 2009-2010 squad finished the regular season with a 26-3 mark.

All-America candidate Jhessyka Williams continues to shine brightly, leading the Big South Conference in both scoring (18.9 ppg) and rebounding (10.3 ppg). The Augusta, Ga., redshirt senior has been named Big South Player of the Week five times already this season and is among the NCAA national leaders in double-doubles, rebounding and scoring.

As a team, Gardner-Webb has smothered opponents for much of the season, ranking eight in turnovers forced nationally (22.2). 

A milestone awaits very soon for guard Lauren Bevis, who enters Saturday just two made three-pointers away from tying Gardner-Webb's Division I era record for career threes. Bevis, who has made 208-of-561 attempts (37.1 percent) in 100 games played, could tie former GWU sharpshooter Jasmine Dale – who made 210 threes from 2010-2014. 

The overall career record of 272 made three-pointers is currently held by Vaida Turauskaite, who connected on 272 during a four-year career from 1997-2001. Bevis has knocked down 46-of-125 threes this season and is on pace to surpass her career-high of 73 made shots from long range set last season. 

Bevis scored a season-high 26 points in Wednesday's win over Longwood and ranks second on the team with 13.7 points per game this season. The High Point, N.C., senior is also an elite free throw shooter, making 246-of-286 for her career (86.0 percent).

Alasia Smith continues to pace the nation with 71 steals and has come alive on the glass to average 13.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Smith is officially on the 1,000-point club watch list, needing only 22 points to hit that mark for her career.

Ki'Ari Cain is the engine of Gardner-Webb's exciting offensive attack, averaging a career-high 10.5 points and a league-high 4.6 assists per game – distributing the basketball well to her trio of high-scoring teammates.

Post player Layken Cox has settled into a regular starting role, averaging 6.9 points in 14 starts. Micahla Funderburke is the team's super sub, averaging 18.0 minutes per game and knocking down 25 threes in 19 games. 

Winthrop (3-14, 1-5 Big South) is led this season by Paige Powell (11.1 ppg), Shamyja Price (9.6 ppg) and Jada Ryce (9.1 ppg). Powell also paces the Eagles with 7.2 rebounds per game.

Saturday's game will stream live on ESPN+ (WatchESPN.com) with Mike Foiles and Sarah Jansen. Jon Gross will have the radio call on ESPNCLT.com.