BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.  – Gardner-Webb University women's basketball dropped its first battle in the Big South Conference for the 2024 regular season to High Point University to a score of 74-64 on Saturday, January 6. This loss ended the regular season conference winning streak for the Runnin' Bulldogs at 19 games total. 
 
"It was a tough game for us," said Head Coach Scott Merritt. "High Point did a great job of limiting Ashley Hawkins in the second half and we struggled to score. High Point wanted it more than we did."
 
This opening Big South contest for Gardner-Webb was a true back-and-forth affair. With a total of 17 lead changes, the 'Dawgs opened with freshman guard Lauren Bailey knocking down a three-pointer before the Panthers grabbed their first lead eventually securing a five-point lead at 10-5. One jumper and two three-pointers from Hawkins turned the lead back over to Gardner-Webb at 13-12. Under a minute in the first quarter, graduate student forward Ramatoulaye Keita scored two points nudging the 'Dawgs in front at 15-14 until HPU hit two free throws to lead by one after 10 minutes. 
 
The two sides stayed neck-and-neck for the entire second quarter, leading to the last minute of the half with Bevis nailing a jumper to give High Point a one-point lead with 35 seconds in the half. Bailey brushed the nylon after a three-point make with five seconds remaining to bump the 'Dawgs in front 33-31 going into the locker room. 
 
Gardner-Webb held the lead for half of the third quarter before the Panthers pounced back officially at 43-40 after another Bevis three-pointer. Consecutive baskets from Hawkins helped GWU take back the lead at 47-46 with 47 seconds left in the quarter. Back-to-back three-point makes from Bevis including one to beat the horn, gave the Panthers back the lead at 52-47. 
 
A deep make from senior guard Micahla Funderburk stopped the High Point momentum shortly at 52-50 before the Panthers jumped back in front at 56-50. The 'Dawgs would only find themselves within five points of HPU the rest of the contest as the Panthers secured the 74-64 victory of Gardner-Webb. 
 
NOTABLE STATS
Hawkins led the Runnin' Bulldogs in scoring with a 20-point performance while dishing out seven assists. Sophomore center Grace Pack erupted for multiple career-highs including 16 points, three makes from behind the arc, and nine rebounds. Keita led both sides in rebounds, hauling in 12 total. 

UP NEXT
The 'Dawgs head to Charleston for a battle with the Buccaneers of Charleston Southern University on Wednesday, January 10 at 6:00 p.m.