BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.  – The Gardner-Webb's women's basketball team will host a local non-conference home contest this Friday night with Appalachian State University at 8:00 p.m. on December 15 in the Paul Porter Arena. The game will air live on the Varsity Network App, GWUSports.com/listenlive, and ESPNCLT.com with Mark Binetti on the call for the Runnin' Bulldogs Sports Network. The games will also stream live on ESPN+ (watchespn.com) with Phil Constantino and Sarah Jansen on the call.
 
'DAWG WATCH
First-year Head Coach Scott Merritt leads the Runnin' Bulldogs into this matchup with the local Mountaineers, aiming to capture his team's first victory this season.
 
After nine non-conference contests, junior guard Ashley Hawkins leads the pack in scoring with an average of 14.8 points (t-3^rd in the Big South), 4.8 assists (2^nd in the Big South), 3.8 rebounds per game, shooting 45 percent from the field (3^rd in the Big South), knocking down 83 percent from the charity stripe (2^nd in the Big South), and averaging 32.2 minutes (5^th in the Big South) per contest. Hawkins has only been held to below double-digits in one game for Gardner-Webb this season. At the College of Charleston, she tied the single-game program record for assists with 11 on Nov. 20, which is also the only 10+ assist game among Big South players this season.
 
Freshman guard Lauren Bailey tails Hawkins in points for GWU averaging 9.3 (17^th in the Big South) and averages a 38 three-point percentage (2^nd in the Big South). Graduate student forward Ramatoulaye Keita continues to work the glass for Gardner-Webb with a team-high seven rebounds per game (4^th in the Big South).
 
MOUNTAINEERS ENTER THE FOOTHILLS
The Mountaineers enter Friday's game at 5-3, highlighting their season with wins over UNC Greensboro (76-65), Ohio University (71-64), Furman (68-63), Binghamton (68-57), and the College of Charleston (77-73). The Mountaineers have lost contests against Norfolk State (67-53), Davidson (64-41), and an overtime loss to Richmond (80-77). Last season, Appalachian State posted a record of 11-20 falling in the second round of the Sunbelt Tournament to Texas State (56-47). This is the 13^th meeting between the two programs with the last meeting occurring last season on December 20, 2022 with the Mountaineers winning 87-81. The Runnin' Bulldogs last win came on November 22, 2019 with a score of 67-56.
 
RUNNIN' BULLDOGS WELCOME THE GATORS
After this Friday's matchup with Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb will return to the hard wood on Sunday to host SEC opponent, the University of Florida, on December 17 at 3:00 p.m.
 
Times and television coverage for all Gardner-Webb women's basketball games can be found at gwusports.com. For more information on the Gardner-Webb women's basketball team, fans can follow the team on X at @GWU_WBK or on Instagram at @gwu_wbk.