HPU WBB Downed at Gardner-Webb, 82-70

• Freshman Emma Bockrath tallied a career-high 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the floor.
• The Purple & White shot 53 percent from the floor in the contest (29-of-55).
• High Point returns to the Millis Center on Tuesday, Jan. 12 to host Coastal Carolina at 7:00 p.m.

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The High Point University women’s basketball team hit 53 percent of its shots, but fell 82-70 to Gardner-Webb on Saturday in Porter Arena.

The Panthers (3-11, 2-3) used a 13-2 run to build a 27-23 lead in the second quarter. However, the Runnin’ Bulldogs (9-6, 3-2) scored the next 12 points and outscored HPU 59-43 the rest of the way to earn the victory.

“We have to get better defensively and can’t lose games when we score 70 points,” head coach DeUnna Hendrix said. “There were times we played well defensively, but didn’t finish out the possession with a rebound. We just need more consistency on that end of the floor. It was good to see Emma Bockrath step up as a secondary scorer. When she can stay out of foul trouble and get in the flow, we are a better team.”

Freshman Emma Bockrath led the Panthers with a career-high 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting to lead a balanced attack that featured nine scorers. Meanwhile, junior Kaylah Keys recorded a double-digit scoring performance for the 13th time in 14 games with 13 points.

Likewise, freshman Haleigh Hatfield gave the Panthers a third double-figure scorer with 11 points. Off the bench, freshman Lindsey Edwards led the way with nine points as the Purple & White’s reserves posted a +3 edge (23-20) over the home team’s backups.

Despite outrebounding GWU in the first half, HPU lost the battle on the glass 34-27 as the Runnin’ Bulldogs earned 19 second-chance points in the contest. Offensively, GWU shot 49 percent from the floor while going 21-of-28 from the line.

After a slow start offensively (6-6, 5:45), the offenses heated up as Gardner-Webb built a 21-14 lead (1:48). But, a balanced HPU attack allowed the Panthers to make it 21-20 at the end of a quarter that saw six players score.

The Purple & White continued their run in the second quarter as Bockrath hit a transition jumper and a 3-pointer to make it 27-23 with 7:30 left in the half. However, the Runnin’ Bulldogs answered with a 12-0 run to build a 35-27 edge (3:00). From there, Edwards hit two jumpers as HPU pulled back within five at the half (40-35).

After the break, GWU came out with a 15-6 run to extend its lead to 14 points (55-41) with 5:00 remaining on the third-quarter clock. Keys tallied the next three points, but the Panthers couldn’t get any closer as the Runnin’ Bulldogs took a 63-52 advantage into the final 10 minutes.

Freshman Shea Morgan’s driving jumper pulled the Purple & White within nine (63-54, 9:20) to start the fourth quarter. GWU, then, scored on their next possession and didn’t let their lead fall below 10 points the rest of the way as it earned the 82-70 win.

The Panthers are back at home on Tuesday, Jan. 12 when Coastal Carolina visits the Millis Center for a 7:00 p.m. contest.