Clinton, S.C. – The Presbyterian College women's basketball team rallied back from a double-digit deficit in the second half to take a late lead, but Gardner-Webb was able to hit timely threes and pick up a 66-58 win on Tuesday night at the Templeton Center. Kacie Hall was the leading scorer with 18 points, while Salina Virola picked up her fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Carley Plentovich paced the visitors with 17 points as six different players contributed at least one three-pointer for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
How it Happened
Carley Plentovich hit a pair of three-pointers in the opening minutes as Gardner-Webb built an early 8-4 lead. Hall would later tie it at 13-13 with a pair of free throws and 2:26 left in the quarter.
In the second quarter, Virola scored down low to give PC a 23-21 lead with 7:04 remaining. The Blue Hose would extend it to as many as three points, 25-22, with a pair of free throws from Bria Gibbs with just over five minutes on the clock.
Gardner-Webb countered with a 10-5 run to end the half and take a 32-30 lead into the break. Over that run, Robyn Bouwer and Savannah Plentovich each contributed a trey.
The Runnin' Bulldogs started the second half on an 11-3 run where this time it was Jhessyka Williams who added a three-pointer. Gardner-Webb would stretch their lead to as many as ten points on three occasions in the third quarter, outscoring PC 17-10 in the frame.
The Blue Hose started the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run to make it a one possession game, 49-46, with 7:49 remaining. Trinity Johnson and Gibbs each scored in the paint, while Hall converted a pair of free throws.
Kiara Jackson scored a layup with 4:49 left to give PC a 53-52 lead. However, Morgan Pointer and Neydja Petithomme hit timely threes with 2:12 and 1:15 remaining to regain the lead for Gardner-Webb.
The Runnin' Bulldogs were then able to sink their free throws down the stretch to reach the final score of 66-58.
For the Record
Presbyterian College moves to 4-12 (2-3 Big South), while Gardner-Webb improves to 9-7 (3-1 Big South) on the year.
Notables
Kacie Hall scored 18 points to finish in double-figures for the 12th consecutive game and surpass Amanda Mills (2008-11) for 9th in the program's DI era with 723 career points.
Hall also made a pair of three pointers to reach 131 in her career and pass Darah Huffman (1995-99) for eighth in program history.
Salina Virola (11 points, 11 rebounds) recorded her team-leading fourth double-double of the season.
Gardner-Webb scored 24 points off 23 PC turnovers. The Blue Hose were only able to score 12 points off 13 turnovers from GWU.
Gardner-Webb converted 8-19 (42%) shots from deep, while PC sank 3-11 (27%) of their three-point attempts. However, the Blue Hose held 26-14 advantage in the paint.
Up Next
Presbyterian College will have the week off before traveling to Radford on January 22 for a 7:00 pm game.
