BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Sherece Smith (Clemson, S.C.) scored 20 points and the Presbyterian College women's basketball team erased an 11-point second half deficit but the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs held on to win on Saturday evening, 59-56.
Up by 11 with nine minutes to go, Gardner-Webb could not hold its lead down the stretch as PC battled back thanks to 12 second-half points from Smith. The visitors whittled away at the Gardner-Webb advantage and eventually pulled within four at the final media timeout.
A strong drive from Aianna Kelly (Newport News, Va.) and a three-pointer from Karlee Taylor (Asheville, N.C.) with 1:22 to go put the Blue Hose back in front. Gardner-Webb answered at the free-throw line, as Catrina Green made her first and Jessica Heilig put back an offensive rebound as the Runnin' Bulldogs regained the lead.
A foul and two ensuing free throws extended Gardner-Webb's lead to three points before Smith scored inside to make it 57-56 with 27.9 seconds to go.
One free throw a piece from Olivia Parker and Candace Brown restored the three-point lead with 4.8 seconds left. PC put the ball in the hands of Taylor for the game's final shot, but a block foiled the chance and Gardner-Webb took the win, 59-56.
PC moves to 4-16 on the year and 2-9 in Big South action. The Blue Hose return home to host UNC Asheville on Thursday at 7 p.m. Gardner-Webb improves to 12-8 on the year and 7-4 in the Big South.
Taylor scored 11 points and Kelly added 10. Keyonna Allen (Forest Park, Ga.) fell one point shy of her second straight double-double, with 10 rebounds and nine points.
Olivia Parker led all players with 23 points and 16 rebounds—10 coming on the offensive glass. Jessica Heilig added 21 points.
A cold day from distance troubled the Blue Hose, who shot 3-for-14 from three-point range.
To start the game, the Blue Hose strung together an early 6-0 run to take a seven-point lead. Kelly found herself open underneath via a slick backdoor screen and Allen played tough inside, collecting rebounds and blocking a shot in the early going.
PC's lead swelled to 13 midway through the half as the Blue Hose defense continued to frustrate the Runnin' Bulldogs down low.
Gardner-Webb chipped away at PC's lead with eight straight points from Jessica Heilig and eventually compiled a 19-7 run en route to halftime, where the Blue Hose led by 26-25 at the break.
PC held Gardner-Webb to 29.6 percent shooting in the opening period.
The Runnin' Bulldogs took the lead shortly after halftime and created some space after Rebecca Walker (Snellville, Ga.) tied the game at the line, 34-34.
Gardner-Webb broke off an 11-0 run and led by 11 at the nine-minute mark, setting the stage for PC's rally to the finish.
