CHARLESTON, S.C.  – The Gardner-Webb University women's basketball team fell by a score of 83-61 against Charleston Southern University on Wednesday, January 10 in Big South action. 
 
"We will continue to work and try to get better on both ends of the floor," said Head Coach Scott Merritt. "Anaya Harris provided a huge spark for us tonight, so that was great to see. We need everyone to play every day. We don't have the luxury to not have everyone confident and ready to go."
 
The Buccaneers opened the contest with a 7-0 lead before the 'Dawgs jumped in front after two three-pointers and a jumper by sophomore guard Nyla Walker at 13-12. Charleston Southern knocked down a layup to take back the lead at 14-13 before the end of the first quarter. Gardner-Webb tried to stay in front, but CSU would control the lead through the half going into the locker room with a score of 32-29. 
 
Charleston Southern would not back down in the third quarter expanding its lead to as much as 19 after scoring 28 to the Runnin' Bulldogs 12. Freshman guard Anaya Harris would erupt in the second half scoring nine in the third and 18 overall. The 'Dawgs scored the most they did in a quarter in the fourth with 20, but the Buc's kept their foot on the gas jumping up by as much as 23. 
 
NOTABLE STATS
Harris dropped a career-high in points (18) coming off the bench while hauling in three rebounds and picking up two steals. Senior guard Micahla Funderburk knocked down 5-of-5 threes to finish with 15 points while graduate student forward Ramatoulaye Keita commanded the glass with nine rebounds total.
 
UP NEXT
The 'Dawgs head to Clinton, South Carolina for a 2:00 p.m. matchup with the Blue Hose of Presbyterian College on Saturday, January 13.