BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.  – The Gardner-Webb's women's basketball team will conclude its road trip to the Sunshine State, ending with the University of South Florida on Sunday afternoon, December 10 in the Yuengling Center tipping off at 1:00 p.m. The game will air live on the Varsity Network App, GWUSports.com/listenlive, and ESPNCLT.com with Phil Constantino on the call for the Runnin' Bulldogs Sports Network. The games will also stream live on ESPN+ (watchespn.com).
 
'DAWG WATCH
Scott Merritt leads the Runnin' Bulldogs into this weekend matchup with an 0-8 record before battling against the Bulls.
 
With eight non-conference games under their belts, junior guard Ashley Hawkins leads the Runnin' Bulldogs in scoring averaging 14.8 points (4^th in the Big South), 4.3 assists (2^nd in the Big South), 3.9 rebounds per game, shooting 44 percent from the field (7^th in the Big South), knocking down 82 percent from the charity stripe (2^nd in the Big South), and averaging 32.6 minutes (3^rd in the Big South) per contest. Hawkins has only been held to below double-digits in one game for Gardner-Webb this season, she has also posted back-to-back 20-point games. 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.
 
Sophomore guard Nyla Walker tails Hawkins in points for GWU averaging 8.4 and averaging 26.4 minutes per game. Graduate student forward Ramatoulaye Keita has owned the paint for Gardner-Webb with a team-high 7.1 rebounds per game (4^th in the Big South).
 
BATTLE IN THE BIG GUAVA
The South Florida Bulls enter Sunday's game at 6-3, highlighting their season with wins over UT Arlington (76-61), North Florida (56-55), and Big South foes: High Point (61-32) and Charleston Southern (81-35). The Bulls have lost contests against Alabama (70-41), Arizona State (66-49), and no. 12 Texas (76-44). Last season, USF posted a record of 27-7 falling in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to the 1-seed University of South Carolina (76-45). This is the first meeting between the two programs.
 
RUNNIN' BULLDOGS BACK IN PAUL PORTER
After this Sunday's conclusion of the Florida road trip, Gardner-Webb will take a few days off before hosting Appalachian State University for a late-night 8:00 p.m. tip-off on December 15.
 
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.