GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb women's basketball team (2-5) trailed by as many as eight in the fourth quarter at UNC Greensboro (2-3) on Friday night, seeing its comeback attempt come up just short in a 54-52 defeat
Gardner-Webb and UNC Greensboro played a tight contest on Friday night, with that late eight point deficit faced by the Runnin' Bulldogs the largest by either team. The Runnin' Bulldogs led 4-2 in the first quarter, and with points at a premium for both sides, were still able to rally back to a 29-29 tie by halftime.
After going behind 16-12 after the first quarter, Gardner-Webb outscored UNC Greensboro 17-13 in the second. Part of that success for GWU came from an improvement from the field. After shooting just 4-of-11 and missing both three pointers in the first, the Runnin' Bulldogs shot 5-of-9 in the second, including a 3-of-4 mark from long range. Junior guard
Amina Gray nailed a three with 1:07 to go to see GWU into halftime on level score
UNC Greensboro took a 47-43 lead into the fourth, but the Runnin' Bulldogs excellent defense kept them in the game. The Spartans managed just 1-of-8 from long range in the third, which Gardner-Webb countered with timely shooting. Senior guard
Nyla Walker nailed a clutch jumper with under a minute to play to bring the Dawgs back within four
With 7:26 to go, UNC Greensboro opened up a 51-43 lead, its largest of the night. Gardner-Webb rallied almost right away, first getting a three from redshirt senior guard
Jaelyn Acker to bring the score back to 51-46 with 6:25 to play. Redshirt sophomore forward
Kayla Martin converted on a jumper with 3:51 to go to bring GWU back within one possession, down 53-50. Martin brought the Runnin' Bulldogs to within one with 53 seconds to go, but late free throws allowed UNC Greensboro to close out the game, as Gardner-Webb fell 54-52
LEADERS
Gray continued an excellent individual week with 14 points, Acker added 12 for Gardner-Webb, while freshman forward
Makayla Legette posted seven points, three assists on 3-of-4 from the floor
UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb travels to Conway, S.C. this week for the Coastal Carolina Thanksgiving Tournament, facing Jackson State on November 29th at 12:00 pm and Coastal Carolina on November 30th at 1 pm
