NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Gardner-Webb University women's basketball team (10-13, 7-4 Big South) continued its best run of the season on Saturday afternoon at Charleston Southern (10-14, 6-5 Big South), picking up a key victory in the Big South Conference race with a third win in a row and fifth in six games overall

It didn't start easy for the Runnin' Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon in the Buc Dome, with GWU actually behind 27-23 at the half after shooting just 9-of-29 from the deck. However, a 26-9 tally just in the third quarter and a 10-for-15 clip out of the break would help turn the tide of the game, and give the 'Dawgs their most important win of the season to date. 

In the ever-important third quarter, the Runnin' Bulldogs opened with a 10-0 run to immediately retake the lead. Sophomore guard Lauren Bailey, who continues to rank among the best shooters in the conference since the turn of the New Year, got the 'Dawgs started less than 30 seconds in, knocking down one of two threes to bring GWU back to within one.

Senior guard Ashley Hawkins and sophomore guard Elle Blatchford also played major roles in the big Gardner-Webb quarter and throughout the game, with Blatchford in particular hitting two of her six made triples in the contest, just in the third quarter alone. From down four, the Runnin' Bulldogs sprinted ahead 49-36 after 30 minutes of play.

Hawkins proved to be immense yet again for the Runnin' Bulldogs, with the Long Beach, Calif. native going for 30 points for the second time this campaign, and scoring above 20 for the 11th time in 2024-25. The Big South Preseason Player of The Year finished the contest with 30 points, five assists, three rebounds, and 11 made field goals in 37 minutes, adding further to her conference lead in both points and assists.

Not to be outdone, Blatchford also posted one her best games for Gardner-Webb. The Canton, Ga. native and Southern Miss transfer scored 18 points, hit 6-of-6 from three, and dished out three assists just for good measure.

Overall, Gardner-Webb saw 12 of its 23 made field goals come from beyond the three point line, scored 14 points off CSU turnovers, 18 points in the paint, and never trailed beyond the opening minutes of the third quarter. With now a third straight victory and fifth in six games, the Runnin' Bulldogs move to 7-4 in the Big South Conference.

Big South Conference play continues for the Runnin' Bulldogs next Saturday, February 15th as Gardner-Webb visits USC Upstate for a 12:00 noon tip-off in Spartanburg.