JOHNSON CITY, TENN. - The Gardner-Webb University women's basketball team (11-18, 8-8 Big South) trailed by 19 in the third quarter on Thursday night against Radford and eventually cut the Highlanders lead to just a handful of points, but ultimately came up short in Big South Tournament Quarterfinal action, bringing the Runnin' Bulldogs season to a close.

The Runnin' Bulldogs started slow on Thursday night, shooting just 1-for-18 in the opening quarter, as Radford jumped in front, 14-6. Senior guard Ashley Hawkins hit the first and only field goal for Gardner-Webb with 7:21 remaining in the opening quarter to give GWU a 6-2 led. The 'Dawgs wouldn't hit from the field again until the second quarter, over eight minutes of game time later. 

Despite the struggles on offense, Gardner-Webb stayed within arms length of Radford, paced by freshman guard Kendall Scott. The Big South Conference All-Freshman Team selection earned a trip to the line and knocked down an early three to try and pace the Runnin' Bulldogs. Sophomore forward Andrea Martinez also scored a pair of second quarter buckets but behind a 7-for-33 half, Gardner-Webb trailed 34-20 at the break.

Gardner-Webb shot better out of the halftime break, but it wouldn't be until the middle of the fourth quarter when the 'Dawgs suddenly made the game interesting. From down as many as 19 with 5:34 left in the third, the Runnin' Bulldogs had the Radford lead back within single digits with 7:25 remaining after graduate forward Elze Motekaityte got free for a layup, 53-49. Motekaityte brought GWU as close as they'd come with 3:48 to go, when Hawkins found her underneath the basket to make the score 55-49.

Despite late three-pointers by Hawkins and Scott, and one last jumper from junior guard Nyla Walker, two late Radford field goals and a series of free throws brought the curtain down on the Runnin' Bulldogs season in a 69-63 defeat.

For the 'Dawgs, Scott continued a brilliant finish to her freshman season and led GWU with 19 points, Hawkins closes out her Gardner-Webb career with 18 points, five rebounds, three assists, Motekaityte scored eight point to go with 12 rebounds, and sophomore guard Lauren Bailey hit two threes while finishing with nine points.

For all things Gardner-Webb Women's Basketball this summer, stay tuned to gwusports.com