BOILING SPRINGS, NC-- Gardner-Webb opened up the second half with a 12-2 run and Winthrop never could recover as it fell 57-39 at Paul Porter Arena, Monday evening in Big South Conference women’s basketball action.
Within 35 seconds of the second half, Gardner-Webb’s five point halftime advantage turned into a quick 11-point lead. Courtney Epps nailed a three from the wing to start things started and then Margaret Roundtree finished off a fast break while being fouled by TaQuoia Hammick, who was called for an intentional foul on the play. Roundtree made one of the two free throws which helped Gardner-Webb outscore Winthrop 10-0 to start the second half.
With the loss, Winthrop falls to 10-16 overall and 4-8 in the Big South. Gardner-Webb improves to 24-3 overall and 13-1 in the league. The 24 wins is a school record for the Lady Bulldogs in a single season.
Epps, who had five points at half time, caught fire in the second half and scored 15 second half points to help Gardner-Webb push its lead to as big as 25 at the 3:39 mark. Epps connected on four treys (three in the second half) and finished with a game-high 20 points.
After Roundtree pushed the lead to 11 points after the intentional foul free throws, Winthrop had two good looks to cut back into the lead, but a short miss by Hammick and a three-pointer that went in and out by Kaitlyn Rubino and the lead extended to 15 points.
With just over 12 minutes remaining in the game, Shelly Hankins’ lay-up in the lane cut the lead to 11 points, but Gardner-Webb responded with a 13-1 run that started off with an Epps three for a 23-point advantage.
Both teams battled back and forth throughout the first nine minutes of the game as the score was tied at 10-10 after Roundtree kissed a short jumper off the glass to even the score. At this point the Lady Eagles offense went cold and did not score a point for almost seven minutes until Shanice Cole made two free throws to end the drought. Defensively Winthrop continued to work hard and didn’t allow the Lady Bulldogs get away as it forced five turnovers during the scoring drought. Gardner-Webb did make 3-of-5 shots during the stretch and even took a nine point lead but the forced turnovers kept it close.
With Gardner-Webb leading 19-10, Winthrop forced a turnover that led to the two free throws by Cole and ended the scoreless stretch. From there Winthrop ended the second half on a 7-3 run as it trailed 22-17 at the break.
Winthrop only shot 27 percent from the floor in the first half and committed 10 turnovers, but Gardner-Webb only turned those miscues into three total points. The Lady Bulldogs shot 37 percent in the first half and committed 11 turnovers.
Hankins came off the bench to lead Winthrop with 10 points and also added three steals. Jessica Fansler added nine points and two steals while three other Lady Eagles finished with four points.
Winthrop finished with fewer turnovers in the game, only committing 20 while forcing 24 and also finished with more steals (14).
Epps was the only double-figure scorer for the Lady Bulldogs but Sandra Vaitkute added nine points and nine rebounds along with two blocks. Brianna Dillard and Roundtree each chipped in with seven points.
Winthrop will return to the Winthrop Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 27 as it hosts High Point at 4 p.m.
