BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University women's basketball team (11-17, 8-8 Big South) never trailed on Saturday afternoon inside Paul Porter Arena, defeating Presbyterian (6-23, 4-12 Big South) by a final of 91-81 on Senior Day

The Runnin' Bulldogs flew out of the gates on Saturday afternoon, scoring 27 first quarter points behind an 8-of-13 shooting clip. In what would eventually become the best performance of her debut campaign, freshman guard Kendall Scott opened the game by scoring 9 of the first 11 Gardner-Webb points, as the 'Dawgs ran in front 11-2. Graduate forward Elze Motekaityte also contributed in a big way early on Senior Day, scoring 10 first quarter points as Gardner-Webb built a 27-21 lead.

More of the same came in the second, as Scott and Motekaityte traded baskets for the first six points of the quarter for Gardner-Webb. Not to be outdone on Senior Day, senior guard Ashley Hawkins began to find her footing late in the second, including a tough layup and a smooth jumper just ahead of the halftime horn. With major contributions from Scott, Hawkins and Motekaityte, Gardner-Webb took a 47-39 lead into the break.

Gardner-Webb continued to lead through three quarters, but the fourth quarter is when the 'Dawgs stars shined brightest, with 31 points as a team to complete the victory. Hawkins scored 12 of her team-high 25 points in the quarter, including a late bucket that allowed the Long Beach, Calif. native to surpass 1,000 not only in her D1 college career but now her Gardner-Webb career as well. Scott also continued to play well, with nine fourth quarter points and an assist.

For the Runnin' Bulldogs, Hawkins led the way with 25 points, five assists and three rebounds, all on 8-of-14 from the floor. Scott also posted a career-best 25 with her fifth 15-point game or better in a row, while shooting 9-of-13. Motekaityte also added a near double-double with 17 points, nine rebounds, while sophomore guard Lauren Bailey was not to be out-done with 15 points of her own on three made threes.

For the game, Gardner-Webb shot a season-high 56.6% from the floor, including above 60% in the first and fourth quarters alone. The Runnin' Bulldogs also connected on 5-of-10 threes and a whopping 26-of-30 free throw attempts.

Gardner-Webb now turns its attention to the 2025 Hercules Tires Big South Championship, where the No. 6 seed Runnin' Bulldogs will face No. 3 seed Radford at 8:30 p.m. on March 6th in Johnson City, Tenn.