BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Lauren Bevis scored 21 points on 6-of-10 shooting from deep to lead Gardner-Webb to a 68-56 win at Winthrop Wednesday night.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (23-4, 15-0 Big South) won their 15th in a row and clinched the outright conference title with three games remaining.

Jhessyka Williams added 15 points and Alasia Smith scored 10 points for Gardner-Webb.

Winthrop (11-17, 6-9 Big South) opened up four-point lead midway through the first quarter, but Gardner-Webb rallied with an 8-2 run over the final 2:30 of the quarter to lead 19-17.

The Runnin' Bulldogs led 37-30 at the break and opened up a 53-41 lead after the third quarter. Gardner-Webb led by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter and made enough free throws down the stretch to hold a comfortable lead.

The Runnin' Bulldogs shot 42.6 percent for the game (23-of-54) made 10 threes (10-of-24) and knocked down 12 free throws (12-of-18).

Bevis came off the bench on Wednesday and keyed a 30-1 edge in bench scoring for the visitors. Williams was effective in the paint and Gardner-Webb was again terrific in forcing – and converting – turnovers. 

GWU scored 22 points off of 19 Winthrop turnovers and led for nearly 32 minutes.

Paige Powell led Winthrop with 24 points and 13 rebounds.

Gardner-Webb will return home on Saturday, hosting UNC Asheville at 4:00 pm (ESPN+ / ESPNCLT.com).