ELON, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University women's basketball team fell on the road on Friday night at Elon, where the home side were able to pull away late to hand the Runnin' Bulldogs a first defeat of the season.

The Runnin' Bulldogs and Phoenix stayed tight early in GWU's first road contest of the 2024-25 season, with a momentary Elon lead of just five in the opening quarter to counter sharp shooting from the outside by Gardner-Webb. GWU connected on two three pointers inside the opening ten minutes, the first from sophomore guard Lauren Bailey, the latter by sophomore guard Elle Blatchford. Blatchford in particular came in a huge spot, cutting an early Elon lead to just 16-14 with under 2:00 left in the opening stanza.

The Runnin' Bulldogs finally climbed back into the lead midway through the second. A strong night at the free throw line for Bailey hit its peak here, with the Greeneville, Tenn. native nailing four straight to put Gardner-Webb in front 21-18 with 6:35 until halftime. Elon fought from behind to retake the lead with halftime in sight, but a strong close saw the Runnin' Bulldogs enter the break in front. Another three from Blatchford with 2:10 to go cut Elon's advantage down to 32-30, before senior guard Ashley Hawkins muscled home two free throws with a second to go. At the break, the Red and Black held a 33-32 lead.

Some good defense was key early in the third for Gardner-Webb, with the Runnin' Bulldogs pulling away to a five point cushion. Sophomore guard Anaya Harris came up with the goods with 6:41, driving to the basket and drawing a tough and-one to push the 'Dawgs to a 40-35 lead. Elon connected on just 1/5 shots to open the second half. Harris hit the final field goal of the third for Gardner-Webb with 2:30 on the clock, as Elon inched in front 44-42 heading to the fourth.

In the fourth, the strong early three point shooting returned to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a chance. Hawkins and Blatchford, who finished with 21 and 11 respectively on six made triples, went back to back with 6:13 remaining to make the score 52-50, Elon. Bailey then stepped into her second of the night just a couple minutes later to tie the game at 54 with 3:41 left. From there though, respectively managed to close the door behind key free throw shooting a couple timely threes of their own, as Gardner-Webb dropped to 1-1 with a 69-61 defeat.

Leaders for Gardner-Webb include Hawkins with 21 and five rebounds, Bailey with 15 points, nine rebounds and a perfect 9/9 at the free throw line, Blatchford with 11 on three made threes, and Harris with seven rebounds and four steals.

The Runnin' Bulldogs now look ahead to ETSU, who visit Paul Porter Arena for Education Day on November 12th. Tip-off is scheduled for 11 in the morning.