FORT MYERS, Fla.  – The Gardner-Webb University women's basketball team picked up the pace in the second half against a stout (r/v) Florida Gulf Coast University squad, but would drop the matchup, 102-53, on December. 7 in the Alico Arena. The Eagles received four votes in the most recent AP Poll.
 
"We'll have to get back to work tomorrow and keep building," said Head Coach Scott Merritt. "We are competing but we have to get better at following game plans."
 
The Eagles opened up strong in the first quarter knocking down four three-pointers to lead 16-0. Back-to-back makes from junior guard Ashley Hawkins cut into the FGCU lead at 16-5, but the Eagles would still lead by double-digits heading into the second quarter. Two shots from behind the arc gave FGCU its first 30-point lead at 37-7 and ultimately would cruise into halftime up 49-17.
 
Gardner-Webb turned up their offensive rhythm in the second half scoring 18 in the last two quarters, but the gap remained too large. Hawkins scored eight in the third, but the Eagles carried a 76-35 lead heading into the fourth quarter. A layup by sophomore guard Nyla Walker cut the Eagle lead below 40. The 'Dawgs notably held the Eagles without a made field goal for over four minutes in the fourth quarter.
 
"This is a resilient group and they will continue to believe and continue to get better," said Merritt.
 
NOTABLE STATS
Hawkins continues to lead the 'Dawgs with double-digit performances including tonight with 20 points. This is consecutive 20-point performances for Hawkins. She shot 7-of-17 from the field and 100 percent from the charity stripe. Graduate student Ramatoulaye Keita once again protected the glass for GWU, hauling in eight rebounds. Freshman guard Amina Gray saw a career-high in minutes with 25 and points with nine. Gray led the 'Dawgs with three made shots from behind the arc.
 
UP NEXT
The Runnin' Bulldogs head down south to Tampa to face another tough non-conference opponent in the University of South Florida on December 10 at 1:00 p.m.