BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University women's basketball team (5-12, 2-3 Big South) led for much of the game on Wednesday night inside Paul Porter Arena, but a late layup handed the win to visiting Radford (5-12, 2-2 Big South) in Big South Conference action

The offenses were firing on all cylinders on Wednesday night, with Radford and Gardner-Webb sprinting out to a 19-19 tie through one quarter. The Runnin' Bulldogs managed eight made field goals in the opening 10 minutes, next to three made threes, while the visiting Highlanders shot at a 50% clip from behind the arc. Several Runnin' Bulldogs played a major role early, including junior guard Nyla Walker who cashed in with five early points, punctuated by a three that gave GWU a lead inside three minutes to go.

In the second quarter, the Runnin' Bulldogs turned to senior guard Ashley Hawkins for a series of huge buckets, eventually taking a 35-30 lead into halftime. The Long Beach, Calif. native scored 6 of 16 Gardner-Webb points in the quarter, including a pair of tough layups through contact. Sophomore guard Lauren Bailey emerged as well for what would be her biggest game of the season, scoring five late points in the stanza to push GWU in front.

Gardner-Webb continued to lead into the fourth, outscoring Radford 19-18 to lead 54-48. The Runnin' Bulldogs continued to run through Hawkins on offense, with the senior guard scoring seven points in the frame, and dishing out a big assist on another made three from Bailey. GWU also found its groove in the post as well, where graduate forward Elze Motekaityte beat the third quarter buzzer to earn two of her points on the night.

In the fourth however, Radford eventually inched back before taking the lead for good with 5.5 seconds remaining. It wasn't without a strong effort from the Runnin' Bulldogs, with Bailey giving Gardner-Webb the lead with 31 seconds left. The Greeneville, Tenn. native cashed in a season high sixth three of the game on GWU's second-to-last possession, briefly putting the 'Dawgs ahead 70-69. The visiting Highlanders went to the post in the final seconds and with a turnaround jumper, immediately went back in front 71-70. Radford would finish with 34 points in the paint and hold GWU off the board in the final seconds as the 'Dawgs came up short.

For Gardner-Webb, Bailey poured in a season-best effort with 24 point to lead all scorers on six made threes and nine made field goals, Hawkins became the second GWU player to eclipse 20 on the night with 22 points, seven assists and a pair of rebounds, freshman guard Kendall Scott also came off the bench for four points and six rebounds.

GWU returns to action on Saturday, January 18th. Part of Gardner-Webb's "Hoopscoming" celebreation, the 'Dawgs will tip-off at 1 p.m. inside Paul Porter Arena against USC Upstate. For tickets, visit gwusports.com