BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb University women's basketball team had its first home contest of the season on Saturday afternoon, November, 11 falling to local-foe Elon University by a final score of 90-69.
"We are competing, but we are not playing smart basketball," said Head Coach Scott Merritt. "Our youth shows up a lot in our turnovers and missed rotations. We have to be willing to make the tough play on both ends of the floor. It's in us, because I see it in practice, but we have to carry it over to the games."
In the opening minutes of the first quarter, the 'Dawgs pounced first, taking a 6-4 lead after a senior guard
Micahla Funderburk three-pointer. A layup and a free throw make for freshman forward
Andrea Martinez, helped put GWU in front by five at 9-4. Two threes and a layup from the Phoenix placed them back in the lead at 12-11. A trio of jump shots made by the 'Dawgs gave Gardner-Webb another five-point lead at 17-12 with 3:53 remaining in the first quarter. Elon continued to cut into the GWU lead but a freshman guard
Lauren Bailey three-pointer, secured a five-point lead for the 'Dawgs going into the second quarter at 24-19. The Phoenix opened the quarter with nine straight points to give them a 27-24 lead, but a three from sophomore guard
Nyla Walker tied things back up. Tied at 31-31 with 1:46 left in the half, Elon hit two free throws and later a buzzer-beater jumper to go into halftime leading 35-31.
The third quarter would yet again be a huge factor, as Elon posted a 29-point quarter to the 'Dawgs 15. Early on in the quarter, GWU cut the lead down to four after a Martinez three-pointer at 38-34. The Phoenix jumped ahead quickly after the three-pointer, allowing the Runnin' Bulldogs to only come within 10 points for the rest of the quarter. A three-pointer from Ajia James opened action in the fourth quarter, giving the Phoenix their first 20-point lead of the game at 67-46. Gardner-Webb would ultimately come up short, coming within 17 points once in the fourth, as the Phoenix won 90-69.
"Richmond will be a tough matchup for us," coach Merritt added. "They are a skilled team and very well coached. We will have to communicate at a high level and be locked on the defensive end."
NOTABLE STATS
Junior guard
Ashley Hawkins and Martinez led the 'Dawgs in scoring, each with 16 points. Martinez shot well from the floor, hitting 7-of-11. Hawkins led the assist column, dishing out five assists while Funderburk led the team on the glass with six rebounds. The six rebounds and four steals today by Funderburk, were career-highs for the Charlotte native. Guards Walker and Bailey followed behind in double-digits with 12 and 10, respectfully.
UP NEXT
The Runnin' Bulldogs play their next non-conference contest this Wednesday, Nov. 15 against Richmond University for an Education Day Game. Tip-off is at 11:00 a.m. in the Paul Porter Arena.
