Rock Hill, S.C. – Winthrop won their third straight contest by downing Gardner-Webb with a big late run at home.
 
Winthrop (9-7, 3-0 Big South) | Gardner-Webb (4-11, 1-2 Big South)
Jan. 8, 2025 | Winthrop Coliseum
Winthrop 63, Gardner-Webb 49
 
How it Happened
 
First Quarter | Gardner-Webb jumped out to a 10-2 lead nearly five minutes into the game with Winthrop's only field goal coming on a fastbreak layup by Olivia Wagner at the 5:47 mark. Wagner drilled one from downtown to make the score 10-6 with three minutes left in the quarter and on the next Eagle possession Amourie Porter scored and was fouled. The ensuing free throw cut it to one. Following an immediate defensive stop, Mya Pierfax then put the Eagles ahead for the first time at 11-10 on a jumper with 1:22 remaining. Pierfax then drilled a free throw to extend the lead to two a few seconds later. This would be the score at the end of the quarter. Winthrop also held the Runnin' Bulldogs scoreless over the final 5:40 of the frame.
 
Second Quarter | Gardner-Webb scored four of the first six points of the second quarter, resulting in a 14-14 tie at the 7:45 mark. Winthrop responded by going on an 8-0 run to break the tie, causing play to be stopped with 5:36 left. Ciara Harris scored five of the Eagle points during the run. The Runnin' Bulldogs then hit two three-pointers to cut the margin to 22-20 in one minute. Porter hit two free throws with 3:28 to go to have her team go up four but Gardner-Webb answered with five of the next seven points to narrow the margin to one at 26-25 with 1:45 remaining. Gardner-Webb scored down low just before the half to go up 27-26.
 
Third Quarter | Winthrop scored the first six points of the second half to take a 32-27 lead at the 8:53 mark. Gardner-Webb responded by taking a 37-36 lead via a 10-4 run with five minutes left. The Eagles answered with four quick points to go up 40-37 two minutes later and held the Runnin' Bulldogs scoreless for three minutes. The visitors scored six straight points to go back up 43-40 with 30 seconds left. But Harris three-point shot tied it with 13 seconds remaining.
 
Fourth Quarter | The Eagles scored four of the first six points to start the fourth, taking a 47-45 lead at the 8:43 mark. Gardner-Webb tied it on a layup with 5:52 left only for the Eagles to re-gain the lead on a 12-0 run, putting Winthrop up 60-47 with nearly a minute left and giving the Eagles the lead for good. The Eagles would go on to win it 63-49.

Statistical Standouts (Team)

• Winthrop moves to 621-914 all-time as a program
• Winthrop moves to 356-328 all-time at home
• Winthrop moves to 215-375 all-time in Big South games
• This is the first time since the 2014-15 season that the Eagles have won their first three conference games
• The only other team in program history to do this was the Big South Tournament title-winning 2013-14 team (went 4-0 to start Big South play)
• Winthrop outscored Gardner-Webb 36-24 in the paint
• There were a combined 14 lead changes and 10 ties
• Winthrop outshot the visitors from the field, 39%-29%
• Winthrop outscored the Runnin' Bulldogs 20-6 in the fourth quarter
• Winthrop was 50% from the field in the fourth quarter while holding Gardner-Webb to 15%
• Gardner-Webb failed to make a three-pointer in the first and fourth quarters, going a combined 0-15
• Pierfax had a career-high in points with 16

Statistical Standouts (Individual)
Amourie Porter (33 min., 7-12 FG, 9 rebounds, 18 points)
Mya Pierfax (30 min., 7-12 FG, 16 points)

Up Next
Winthrop hits the road to face conference-leading Longwood on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 6:00 p.m.

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