BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University women's basketball team (8-13, 5-4 Big South) scored an important Big South win over Winthrop on Saturday afternoon, shooting 49% for the game and forcing the visiting Eagles into 18 turnovers en route to a 66-54 triumph

The 'Dawgs were fast out of the gate on Saturday afternoon at Paul Porter Arena, opening up a double digit lead on Winthrop and scoring 20 first quarter points. GWU managed to lead by as many as 13 in the opening frame, capped off by a three from freshman Kendall Scott that put the Runnin' Bulldogs ahead 18-5. Senior guard Ashley Hawkins helped carry the offense early on as well, scoring the Runnin' Bulldogs first bucket and ending the quarter with a pair of free throws.

The star of the night for the Runnin' Bulldogs was sophomore guard Lauren Bailey, who continued a stellar run of play in the Big South. Bailey opened the second quarter with one of her four made three pointers, and added another with 1:11 until halftime to push Gardner-Webb in front 36-25. In the second quarter, the Runnin' Bulldogs managed to lead Winthrop by as many as 15 points and entered halftime ahead by that 36-25 score.

Winthrop crawled back to down as few as six points before the third quarter media timeout, but a strong finish gave the 'Dawgs a nine point advantage through three. Junior guard Nyla Walker provided a huge spark off the bench for GWU, knocking down a jumper and drawing a charge in the third quarter. In need of a bucket late however, the Runnin' Bulldogs turned to Hawkins who knocked down a triple right in front of the buzzer for a 47-38 lead.

A total team effort on Saturday afternoon, sophomore guard Elle Blatchford managed some huge plays in the fourth quarter, helping GWU to a win. With 5:06 to go, Blatchford intercepted a pass and went coast to coast for two points and a nine-point 'Dawgs lead, not long after putting back her own miss with a strong back-to-basket effort. Hawkins would score the last five points of the day for the Runnin' Bulldogs, including three from the free throw line as Gardner-Webb closed out a 66-54 win.

For the game, the Runnin' Bulldogs hit 25-of-51 from the floor. Bailey led Gardner-Webb with 19 points on 7-of-9 and 4-of-5 from three, Blatchford scored 16 for GWU on 7-of-11, and Hawkins scored 16 to sit next to five rebounds, four assists and 7-of-7 at the free throw line.

Next up, the Runnin' Bulldogs host UNC Asheville on Wednesday night, February 5th. Tip-off in Paul Porter Arena is set for 7 p.m. and single game tickets are on sale now at gwusports.com