BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb women's basketball team takes the court for its first Big South home match-up of the season on Wednesday night, seeking a 2-0 league start when the Runnin' Bulldogs host UNC Asheville

GAME INFORMATION
Game 16: UNC Asheville (5-10, 0-2 Big South) at Gardner-Webb (4-11, 1-0 Big South)
Location: Paul Porter Arena - Boiling Springs, N.C.
Stream: ESPN Plus
Talent: Bryson Byrnes, Seth Eaves
Tip-Off: 7:00 pm
Series History: GWU leads 30-16
Previous Meeting: 2-5-25 - Gardner-Webb, 79-72

THE MATCH-UP: On Wednesday night, the Runnin' Bulldogs and Bulldogs meet for the 47th time, 46 of which have come in the Gardner-Webb NCAA Division I era. GWU leads the overall series 30-16, swept last season's two meetings, and have won 12 of the last 14 played, dating back to 2019-20

LAST TIME OUT: After a near upset at Wake Forest just before Christmas, Gardner-Webb clamped down to score a 54-48 win at Winthrop on January 31st to open Big South play. Despite shooting just 17-of-50 as a team, the Runnin' Bulldogs held Winthrop to 32% from the floor overall, 19% from three, and forced 24 turnovers to get the win

THE HOT HAND: Junior guard Amina Gray was excellent for GWU in the win at Winthrop, scoring a game-high 21 points, hitting eight of the Runnin' Bulldogs 17 made field goals and five of the team's eight three-pointers. The Dekalb, Ill. native has been a steady presence on offense this season under first-year head coach Terri Williams, averaging a career-best 12.3 points per game 

BACK IN THE LINEUP: Junior guard Anaya Harris returned to the Gardner-Webb lineup on December 13th and has quickly made her presence known once again. The Raleigh, N.C. native dropped 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting in her season debut against Western Carolina, and is second on the team in scoring with 10.3 points per game

PRESS TO RUN: The strength of the Runnin' Bulldogs team so far in 2025-26 has been defense. In four wins, Gardner-Webb is allowing only 50.3 points per game, including a season-low 35 in a win over Hampton on November 16th where the Pirates shot 21.2% for the game and 14.% from three. In three of its four wins, Gardner-Webb has allowed under 60 points.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS: Under second year head coach Tynesha Lewis, UNC Asheville is off to a 5-10 start in 2025-26. The Bulldogs have scored a couple of notable non-conference wins, including a 67-50 win over Western Carolina and an overtime win, 64-58 against SC State. UNC Asheville, like Gardner-Webb, has been able to lean on its defense for most of the season, allowing a Big South-low 60.3 points per game, while holding opponents to just 35% from the floor