BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb women's basketball team (7-16, 4-5 Big South) picked up a key Big South victory on Friday afternoon, defeating UNC Asheville (8-13, 3-6 Big South) behind a late, game-clinching shot from senior guard Nyla Walker

Gardner-Webb and UNC Asheville went toe to toe early on Friday, with neither team able to grab  a lead of more than seven points throughout the duration of the contest. GWU found its footing from the field early, hitting two three-pointers and 6-of-12 in the opening frame, on the way to a 17-17 tie through one. Sophomore forward Regina Yáñez Enriquez played some big minutes for the Runnin' Bulldogs early, including the team's final bucket of the frame inside a minute to go

The Runnin' Bulldogs would build a 30-28 halftime lead largely behind its defense. Gardner-Webb managed just 13 second-quarter points, but held UNC Asheville with just one made field goal for the duration of the quarter, a field goal drought that lasted from the 1:34 mark of the first, to the 1:00 mark of the second

UNC Asheville battled back to lead 44-41 after three quarters but the Dawgs responded in a huge way late in the fourth. Down three with 57 seconds remaining, redshirt senior guard Jaelyn Acker buried a contested three in the corner to tie the game at 52. On the following UNC Asheville possession, senior guard Nyla Walker forced the home side into a turnover, setting up a chance for the Runnin' Bulldogs to go for the lead. After the initial go-ahead try missed, Gardner-Webb got a second chance after the rebound was lost out of bounds by UNC Asheville. Walker would take full advantage, driving, stopping, and scoring on a contested mid-range jumper with 1.5 seconds remaining, giving Gardner-Webb a 54-52 lead. One last heave by UNC Asheville hit the rim on the other end, as the Runnin' Bulldogs won 54-52

LEADERS
Junior guard Amina Gray was excellent for GWU with a team-high 18 points, including an important fourth quarter three pointer, Walker finished with eight on 4-of-7 shooting, including her game-winner, Acker also finished with six points including a huge basket with under a minute to play

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Four different GWU players finished with at least two steals, and five players posted at least three rebounds. The Runnin' Bulldogs also held UNC Asheville to just eight points in the fourth quarter, where UNC Asheville shot just 3-of-14

UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb is back in action next Saturday, February 7th inside Paul Porter Arena, hosting Winthrop at 2 pm