JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.  – Gardner-Webb University women's basketball dropped a tough defensive contest with East Tennessee State University, 60-48, on Wednesday night, Dec. 20 in the Brooks Gymnasium.
 
"It's a tough game to lose," said Head Coach Scott Merritt. "ETSU is very well coached and we had several opportunities to win the game. We have to continue to do the little things for 40 minutes and we did not make the plays in the 4^th quarter."
 
The Bucs got off to a very quick start securing a 10-point lead for the first time at 15-5 with 3:14 remaining in the first quarter. With ETSU leading by 13 and eight second left in the period, a three-point knockdown awarded the Buccaneers a 16-point lead heading into the second quarter at 27-11. 
 
The first field goal of the second quarter would not be scored until 7:07 after a second-chance layup from junior guard Ashley Hawkins. Gardner-Webb erupted with an 11-1 run to cut the deficit to seven at 28-21. A Hawkins three-pointer with 41 seconds left in the half shrunk the ETSU margin to six at 31-25. Senior guard Micahla Funderburk was essential in the second quarter, scoring all eight of her points including a buzzer-beater to cut the Buc's lead to five at 33-28.
 
Freshman forward Andrea Martinez kept the 'Dawgs run alive with a layup to knock the deficit to three points at 33-30. The Buccaneers pulled away and led by seven at 37-30 before an 8-2 run by the Runnin' Bulldogs to put the score at 38-39 with 4:08 in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the 'Dawgs continued to eat at the Buc's lead, bringing the deficit back down to three points at 47-44. ETSU picked up a spark, not allowing GWU to creep back within as they secured a 10-point lead with 40 seconds remaining in the contest. The Bucs eventually held on to win 60-48 in a defensive clash. 
 
"We'll take a few days off and get ready for Queens," said Merritt. "It'll be another scrappy opponent, so we'll have to play with a level of toughness for a full 40 minutes."
 
NOTABLE STATS
Hawkins led the 'Dawgs in scoring yet again with 15 points on 6-of-15 attempts. She added three rebounds and assists as well. Funderburk and sophomore guard Nyla Walker each recorded eight points apiece. Graduate student Ramatoulaye Keita snagged eight rebounds including five offensive grabs.
 
UP NEXT
The Runnin' Bulldogs enjoy the holidays before heading to Charlotte for their final non-conference opponent this regular season in Queens University (N.C.) on Saturday, December 30 at 2:00 p.m.