TAMPA, Fla.  – Gardner-Webb University women's basketball posted its second highest point total this season behind an 18-point performance from freshman guard Lauren Bailey, but would fall to a stout University of South Florida team, 105-75, on December. 10 in the Yuengling Center.
 
The Bulls jumped ahead quickly in the first quarter, grabbing a 10-point lead halfway through at 14-4. USF would attempt to secure its first 20-point lead of the contest, but the 'Dawgs cut the margin to 14 points at 32-18 after a three-pointer from junior guard Ashley Hawkins. South Florida rattled off three shots from behind the arc to by 25 and force a GWU timeout at 45-20. Both sides went into a scoring drought for two minutes until Bailey popped a three-pointer off a Bulls turnover with 4:04 remaining in the half. USF would fend off the Runnin' Bulldogs into halftime leading 53-30.
 
Gardner-Webb opened the second half with the hot hand, shrinking the USF lead below 20 after makes from Grace Pack, Micahla Funderburk, and Bailey from three-point land. The 'Dawgs scored a game-high 28 points in the third quarter, but the Bulls responded with 34 of their own. USF would have enough room to secure the victory over Gardner-Webb, 105-75.
 
NOTABLE STATS
Bailey scored a season-high 18 points, including 5-of-10 from behind the arc. She also hauled in five rebounds for the 'Dawgs. Hawkins continues to post double-digits in her first season as a Runnin' Bulldog, posting 15 points and also dishing out eight assists. Freshman guard Anaya Harris shot 70 percent with 14 points, a season-high for the Raleigh native.
 
UP NEXT
The Runnin' Bulldogs return back home to the Paul Porter Arena on Friday, December 15 for a local matchup with Appalachian State University, tipping off at 8:00 p.m.