BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.  – The Gardner-Webb University women's basketball team fell to Richmond University on Education Day on Wednesday, November 15 by a final score of 80-53 in the Paul Porter Arena.
 
"I thought we played really tough in the first half," said Head Coach Scott Merritt. "We were locked in defensively and executed the game plan. Right now, we need to sustain our focus and play 40 minutes of good basketball. Richmond is talented and very well coached and they expose every mistake you make, and we made a lot of mistakes in the second half."
 
In a tight opening first quarter, the two sides would tie the score at 6-6 with 2:59 remaining. At 6-6, the Spiders jumped in front with an eight-point run going into the second quarter with a 14-6 lead. A two from Richmond to open the quarter gave the Spiders their first 10-point lead of the contests at 16-6. The Spiders kept the momentum rolling after a three-pointer from Maggie Doogan and a fast break layup from Siobhan Ryan to secure a 13-point for Richmond at 21-8. Over the next six minutes, the Runnin' Bulldogs sank three shots from behind the arc to cut the Spider lead to five points at 26-21 with 1:33 in the half. Freshman guard Lauren Bailey pulled Gardner-Webb within three points after a pull up jumper at 26-23. The Spiders scored five before the half to head into halftime leading 31-23.
 
Richmond opened the second half with a Grace Townsend three-pointer and a Doogan driving layup to hop back in front by 13 points. A senior guard Micahla Funderburk jumper and a sophomore forward Grace Pack three-pointer cut Richmond's lead to eight points at 38-30, but the Spider's never let the 'Dawgs back within single digits. Later on, the Spiders picked up their first 20-point lead at 53-33 after a Townsend fast break layup. Richmond continued to rake in points, ultimately leaving Boiling Springs with a 80-53 win.
 
"We have another chance to play on Friday and try to put together 40 quality minutes," coach Merritt added. "It's a quick turn around and Charlotte is very tough, so we will have to be ready."
 
NOTABLE STATS
Junior guard Ashley Hawkins led the 'Dawgs in scoring with 12 points while dishing out a team-high four assists and pulled down four rebounds. Bailey scored 11 points behind Hawkins, hitting two shots from behind the arc. Forward Ramatoulaye Keita had her best game on the glass so far with 11 rebounds and recorded seven points. Richmond's Maggie Doogan led the Spiders with 25 points and 10 rebounds in their win.
 
UP NEXT
The Runnin' Bulldogs hop on the road to play their next non-conference contest this Friday, Nov. 17 against UNC Charlotte. Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. in the Halton Arena.