BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Jhessyka Williams and Alasia Smith recorded double-doubles and Gardner-Webb edged Campbell 61-59 Wednesday night at Paul Porter Arena.
In a battle of the top offense and defense in the Big South, Gardner-Webb (11-4, 3-0) moves in sole-possession of first place in the conference standings as Campbell (7-7, 2-1) drops its first league matchup of the season.
Christabel Ezumah led the Camels with 14 points and nine rebounds while Audrey Fuller recorded nine points and a career-best nine boards.
Campbell led 19-6 after the first quarter, limiting the Runnin' Bulldogs to 15.3 percent (2-13) shooting from the field. Big South leading scorer Jhessyka Williams scored 11 points in the second quarter to cut Campbell's lead to 30-29 at halftime.
Gardner-Webb jumped out to a 37-32 lead after the break. Campbell used a 15-2 run sparked by four points from both Ezumah and Fuller and a three from Erika Joseph to take a 47-39 advantage. The Runnin' Bulldogs retook the lead on a three-pointer by Smith as part of a 9-2 run to open the fourth quarter.
Trailing 58-52 with less than five minutes remaining, Campbell tied the game on a jumper by Gianni Boone, a pair of free throws by Staves and a wide open layup by Ezumah with 1:45 remaining. Ezumah put the Camels ahead 59-58 with 44.4 remaining after hitting 1-of-2 free throws.
Lauren Bevis answered for the Runnin' Bulldogs by hitting a running jumper with 19.8 left on the clock to put Gardner-Webb on top. Campbell missed on the other end and Gardner-Webb's Ki'Ari Cain made a free throw with 1.1 left.Â
Staves finished with nine points and five boards while Joseph came off the bench and knocked down three three-pointers for the Camels.
The Camels shot 47.7 percent (21-44) from the floor and made 4-of-8 threes while holding Gardner-Webb and its league-leading scoring offense to 33.8 percent (23-68) from the floor.
CU held a 13-5 edge in bench points and led 10-9 on fast breaks. Gardner-Webb narrowly edged the Camels in points in the paint, 30-28.
Campbell returns home Saturday against UNC Asheville at 1:00 PM. Tickets for all Campbell home games are $8 and available to purchase at GoCamels.com/tickets or by calling 1-877-Go-Humps. Kids 12 and under get in free.
