BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University women's basketball team (9-13, 6-4 Big South) continued a solid run of play on Wednesday night, winning for the fourth time in five Big South Conference games by outlasting visiting UNC Asheville (2-20, 0-9 Big South) inside Paul Porter Arena, 79-72

The Runnin' Bulldogs and Bulldogs went to battle in a high-scoring affair on Wednesday night in Boiling Springs, with both teams above 50% from beyond the arc just in the first quarter alone. UNC Asheville came out blazing, shooting 4-of-8 from three while Gardner-Webb shot 59% in total and 2-of-4 from three.

The second frame was even better for the Runnin' Bulldogs however, with GWU erupting for 24 total points. Sophomore guard Elle Blatchford was the star early for Gardner-Webb, scoring several huge early buckets. Between 7:00 and 6:15 of the second, Blatchford knocked down an open three, then escaped solo on a fast break after making a steal near mid-court. Not to be outdone, freshman guard Kendall Scott also contributed with some big minutes off the bench with four late points to help push GWU in front. Senior guard Ashley Hawkins was the next to step up, knocking down an off balance three at the buzzer to give the 'Dawgs a 43-37 lead.

Into the third quarter where Gardner-Webb would lead for the full duration, but not without a push from visiting UNC Asheville. Blatchford again was key for Gardner-Webb however, with two more huge buckets after the third quarter media timeout, part of a career-high 23 points on the night. The Canton, Ga. native put the Red and Black up nine late in the third, just ahead of a late Asheville run, Through 30 minutes, the 'Dawgs held a 59-56 lead, thanks in large part as well to freshman Maja Rohkohl, who put back her own miss at the horn.

On to the fourth quarter, where the Runnin' Bulldogs star guard shined brightest. Hawkins scored the last 14 points in a row for Gardner-Webb, 14 of 20 total points for Gardner-Webb in the frame, and all in the final 5:21 of game action. Of those 14 points, 10 came from the free throw line, where the Long Beach, Calif. native iced the game, hitting all 10 down the stretch and 12-of-13 for the game. Hawkins and Blatchford saved the best for last, with Blatchford finding Hawkins wide open under the basket on an inbound play with under 20 seconds to go, putting Gardner-Webb up five, and for good. The Runnin' Bulldogs were then able to dribble out the remaining seconds of a 79-72 win.

Leaders for GWU include Hawkins, who scored 28 with five assists, Blatchford with her career-best 23 on four made threes and nine made field goals. The duo combined for 51 of the Runnin' Bulldogs 79 points in the contest and 16 of 27 made field goals.

Next up, Gardner-Webb continues Big South play at Charleston Southern. Tip-off is set for Saturday, February 8th at 2 p.m. in North Charleston.