GAMEDAY CENTRAL

DATE: February 18, 2012

SITE: Paul Porter Arena (3,500)

TIP-OFF: 5:00 p.m.

RADIO: WGWG 88.3 (FM) The Range

TALENT: Jared Pankhurst and Brad Evans

INTERNET: Big South Network

LIVE STATS: www.gwusports.com

SERIES (DI): Tied at 8-8

SERIES VS. UNC ASHEVILLE

Saturday night's round two of the "Battle of the Bulldogs" is an important match up for both teams, as the two are separated by only two games in the Big South Conference regular season standings.  GWU will look to defeat UNC Asheville and gain ground on the Runnin' Bulldogs, as the two fight for the last and final spot for the 2012 Big South Women's Basketball Championship Tournament in March.  The Runnin' Bulldogs, who have dropped nine straight will look to snap their current losing streak and post their second conference win of the season.  Asheville, who has lost six straight games themselves, are two games ahead of GWU with their three conference wins on the season.  Asheville defeated GWU 74-62 earlier this season and has won two out of the last four meetings between the two teams.  GWU is 3-2 versus the Asheville Bulldogs in Paul Porter Arena all-time and are in need of a home win, having gone 1-8 in front of the home crowd thus far this season.

GWU WOMEN'S BASKEBALL TO RECOGNIZE FREDIA LAWRENCE KING AND RUTH HAMMON BAILEY PRIOR TO TIP-OFF

Prior to the tip-off of the 5 p.m. contest between the UNC Asheville Bulldogs and the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon, the GWU women's basketball program will have a special presentation to recognize Fredia Lawrence King and Ruth Hammond Bailey.  Lawrence King, who is in the Gardner-Webb University Athletics Hall of Fame, will have her jersey officially retired and hung in the rafters of Paul Porter Arena.  Hammond Bailey, who played for the Runnin' Bulldogs from 2000-04, will receive the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award.

LAST TIME OUT

Monday night's Big South Conference women's basketball contest between the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs and the Presbyterian College Blue Hose saw 15 lead changes and eight ties, as the Blue Hose escaped with a 59-57 overtime win in Paul Porter Arena. GWU's Catrina Green had a game-high 16 points, while freshman forward Jessica Heilig posted her first career double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.  Fellow newcomer Eliana Scanlon added 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor in 16 minutes of play. GWU dominated the glass, as the Runnin' Bulldogs grabbed 24 offensive rebounds and out-rebounded the Blue Hose 43-35 for the contest. The Blue Hose shot 46.8 percent (22-of-47) from the floor overall, while the Runnin' Bulldogs, who struggled offensively in the second half, finished the game shooting 32.3 percent (21-of-65).

GWU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TO HOLD ALUMNI DAY ON FEB. 18TH

The Gardner-Webb women's basketball program will hold their annual "Alumni Day" on Saturday, February 18th.  Gardner-Webb invites all of its women's basketball alumni, players and coaches, to come out for the game on Saturday, February 18th. During halftime of the women's basketball contest versus Asheville, all the alumni will be recognized, for not only their time spent at Gardner-Webb University, but also for their constant support and contributions to the women's basketball and university family as a whole. Make plans to attend now, as it will be the final double-header of the season for the women and men's basketball teams. For more information, or if you plan to attend, contact assistant coach and alumnus Brooke Wilkinson at bwilkinson@gardner-webb.edu or at (704) 406-4633

GWU WILL RETURN HOME TO HOST HIGH POINT ON MARCH 2ND