ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Gardner-Webb used a decisive second quarter run to pull away from Winthrop, handing the Eagles a 54-48 setback in the opener to Big South play Wednesday afternoon at the Winthrop Coliseum. 

The Runnin' Bulldogs erased an early deficit and maintained control over the final two periods, while Winthrop continued to chip away but could not fully close the gap. 

FIRST QUARTER 

• Winthrop controlled the early tempo, opening the game on a 7-0 run highlighted by baskets from Amourie Porter and Madison Ruff. 
• Cori Lard knocked down the Eagles' first three of the afternoon at 6:45, extending the lead before Gardner-Webb found its rhythm. 
• Gardner-Webb struggled to convert early chances, shooting just 2-for-14 in the opening quarter. 
• Amina Gray finally put the Bulldogs on the board with a three-pointer midway through the  
• Winthrop capitalized on turnovers, generating multiple transition opportunities and holding Gardner-Webb scoreless for over three minutes. 
• A late Ryiah Wilson triple at 4:48 capped the quarter, sending the Eagles into the break up 12-5. 

SECOND QUARTER 

• Gardner-Webb flipped the momentum quickly, opening the quarter with back-to-back threes to erase the deficit. 
• Gray connected from deep at 8:56, followed by Jaelyn Acker's three at 8:15 to bring the Bulldogs within one. 
• Madison Ruff steadied Winthrop with a pull-up jumper, but the Eagles struggled to find consistent offense. 
• Gardner-Webb leaned on free throws and offensive rebounds to string together a run midway through the quarter. 
• Ryiah Wilson tied the game with a three at 2:31, briefly halting the Bulldogs' surge. 
• Gardner-Webb closed the half with a last-second layup, taking a 23-20 advantage into halftime. 

THIRD QUARTER 

• The Bulldogs opened the second half aggressively, as Gray drilled another three at 9:43 to stretch the lead. 
• A steal and fast-break layup moments later pushed Gardner-Webb ahead by double figures. 
• Winthrop responded through Amourie Porter's physical play, scoring inside and getting to the free-throw line. 
• Porter completed a three-point play to pull the Eagles within one midway through the quarter. 
• Madison Ruff's layup at 4:49 briefly gave Winthrop its first lead since the opening quarter. 
• Gardner-Webb answered immediately with a three, sending the game into the fourth with the Dawgs up 41-37. 

FOURTH QUARTER 

• Gardner-Webb seized control early, opening the period with a three at 8:34 and a quick basket inside to rebuild the cushion. 
• The Eagles continued to force turnovers but struggled to convert second-chance looks. 
• A Johnson putback at 3:25 cut the margin to single digits and kept the Eagles within reach. 
• Ryiah Wilson added a late three at 1:48, trimming the deficit again. 
• Gardner-Webb sealed the win at the free-throw line in the final seconds to close out the 54-48 decision. 

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE 

• Winthrop and Gardner-Webb both finished with 24 turnovers, with the Eagles scoring 22 points off those miscues. 
• Gardner-Webb shot eight-for-25 from three-point range, while Winthrop finished four-for-22 from deep. 
• Amourie Porter led Winthrop with 19 points and nine rebounds. 
• Madison Ruff added 11 points, seven rebounds and four steals for the Eagles. 
• Amina Gray paced Gardner-Webb with 21 points, knocking down five threes. 
• Winthrop held a 38-30 edge on the glass but was outscored 18-8 from beyond the arc. 

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
To keep up with the latest news on the Winthrop women's basketball program, follow the Eagles on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook