FARMVILLE, VA - The Gardner-Webb University women's basketball team (7-12, 4-4 Big South) took a season-best two game conference win streak on the road to Longwood (16-6, 7-1 Big South) on Wednesday night, but a strong start by the home side downed the Runnin' Bulldogs by a final of 64-52

Wednesday night's contest actually started quite close, with the Runnin' Bulldogs and first-place Lancers separated by just three after one quarter. GWU's first four made baskets came via four different players through the opening five minutes, just before senior guard Ashley Hawkins connected on her first triple with 4:56 to play. Hawkins buried another jumper just 46 seconds later to give the 'Dawgs an early 11-8 lead, but six straight Longwood points gave the home side a 14-11 advantage through one.

Through the second quarter, where Longwood would increase its lead to eight by the half, holding the Runnin' Bulldogs to just 10 points. With 7:11 to play in the first half, sophomore guard Lauren Bailey knocked down her first three of the night, those were the last points for nearly five minutes for GWU as Longwood raced in front 26-16. Hawkins finally connected on the 'Dawgs first field goal in nearly six minutes with 1:52 to go, but a Lancers answer but the Runnin' Bulldogs down 29-21 at the break.

Down double digits, the 'Dawgs roared out of the half by way of sophomore guard Elle Blatchford. The Canton, Ga. native went back to back from three inside the first 2:24 of the third quarter to quickly bring Gardner-Webb back to down 31-27. GWU would come no closer however. Another lengthy field goal drought allowed the Lancers to build a lead as big as 12, one they'd hold until the end of the third. The Runnin' Bulldogs knocked down just two field goals inside the final five minutes of the third.

In the fourth, Gardner-Webb quickly regained itself to pull back within single figures. GWU saw Bailey hit her second three, followed by a tip in from freshman center Maja Rohkohl with 6:05 to make the score 51-42, Longwood. Late buckets from all of Hawkins, Bailey, Blatchford and Rohkohl wouldn't be enough to close the gap further however, as Longwood pulled away by as many as 15, eventually handing the Runnin' Bulldogs a 64-52 defeat.

For Gardner-Webb, Hawkins led the way with 15 points, four assists in 38 minutes, Blatchford scored 11 with a pair of made threes, Bailey dropped eight points with a pair of made threes, and Rohkohl led the 'Dawgs with 10 rebounds next to six points and a perfect 3-of-3 shooting for the second straight game.

Gardner-Webb women's basketball is back inside Paul Porter Arena on Saturday afternoon, February 1st at 1 p.m. as the Runnin' Bulldogs host Winthrop. Single game tickets are on sale now at gwusports.com