CLINTON, S.C. - The Presbyterian College women's basketball team defeated Gardner-Webb at home tonight, 73-65. PC had four players in double-figures and shot 25-of-33 (75.8 percent) from the free throw line to earn the eight-point victory over the Bulldogs who entered the game ranked second in the Big South.
Shonda Burnside (Gray Court, S.C.) recorded 19 points to lead all scorers. She went 6-10 from the field as well as 7-9 from the charity stripe. Sherece Smith (Clemson, S.C.) recorded her first collegiate double-double with a career-high 16 points and 10 rebounds. Karlee Taylor (Asheville, N.C.) had 15 points with a perfect 10-of-10 night from the free thrown line while Dria David (Lawrenceville, Ga.) had 12 points and two steals in the upset.
Gardner-Webb also had four players in double figures. Dominique and Monique Hudson led the way as they have all season. Dominique had 14 points and six rebounds while her sister Monique had 12 points and five rebounds. Sandra Vaitkute had 12 points while Catrina Green recorded 10 points.
The first half went back-and-forth with seven lead changes and five ties. PC held the largest lead at 11 points after a lay-up by Chelsea Apke (Pittsburg, Pa.) with 1:04 remaining in the half. At the break, PC held an eight-point advantage, 36-28.
Gardner-Webb started the second half on a 15-5 run to take a two-point lead with 12:15 remaining in the game. After a pair of free throws by Taylor, the game was tied again at 43 with 11:48 on the clock.
The Bulldogs would fight back from a four-point deficit to take the lead once last time, 51-50, on a basket by Vaitkute with 8:25 left. Five straight points by Burnside would give the Blue Hose a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.
The visitors last threatened after LaTroya Pope hit a three to cut the lead to one, 61-60, with 1:42 remaining. However, the Blue Hose saw a quick basket by Smith as well as a three by David to put the game out of reach.
For the game, Gardner-Webb outscored PC 24-16 in the paint and had 22 points off PC's 20 turnovers. The Blue Hose shot 45 percent from the field (22-of-48) while the Bulldogs shot 40 percent (24-of-60).
PC improves to 9-18 (5-9 Big South) while GWU falls to 18-10 (9-5 Big South) on the season. The win again sets a Division I record for wins in a season for the Blue Hose.
PC will host Radford on Monday night in their final home game of the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
