CLINTON, S.C. (Interstat) — Anaya Harris scored a game-high 22 points and Gardner-Webb used a dominant third quarter to pull away from Presbyterian for a 62-50 victory in a Big South Conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Templeton Center.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs, who avenged a home loss to the Blue Hose from just over three weeks prior, improved to 10-16 overall. Presbyterian fell to 3-22.

The most important stretch of the game arrived immediately after halftime. Leading by just nine points, Gardner-Webb erupted for a 25-point third quarter, fueled by relentless defensive pressure that forced a cascade of Presbyterian turnovers. The Runnin’ Bulldogs scored 37 points off 29 Blue Hose turnovers for the game, with the majority of that damage coming during the decisive surge out of the break.

Harris, a 5-foot-9 guard from Raleigh, North Carolina, was the catalyst. She scored 11 of her points in the third period, repeatedly attacking the basket and drawing fouls. She finished the game making 8 of 10 attempts from the free-throw line and added two assists and two steals in 29 minutes of action.

Gardner-Webb led 28-19 at halftime after a sluggish offensive first half from both teams. The Runnin’ Bulldogs shot just 37.5% from the field before the break, while Presbyterian connected on only 7 of 22 attempts. The Blue Hose were hampered by 15 first-half turnovers.

The game’s complexion changed entirely in the third quarter. Gardner-Webb opened the period with a 12-4 run, highlighted by Harris’ driving layups and free throws. The Runnin’ Bulldogs’ full-court pressure consistently disrupted Presbyterian’s offensive flow, leading to live-ball turnovers and easy transition opportunities. By the time Sara Menendez sank a 3-pointer in the final minute of the quarter, Gardner-Webb’s lead had ballooned to 53-33.

Menendez, a 6-foot forward from Castellon De La Plana, Spain, provided valuable support with nine points and three rebounds off the bench. Amina Gray added 11 points for the Runnin’ Bulldogs, who shot 47.7% from the field overall and made 16 of 20 free throws.

Presbyterian, which never led in the game, was led by 10 points apiece from Yolanda Floyd and Amani Williams. Floyd, a 5-foot-8 guard from Powder Springs, Georgia, scored all her points in the second half. Williams, a 6-foot-1 forward from Greensboro, North Carolina, added two rebounds and a block. Aminata Tal contributed eight points, six rebounds and two assists for the Blue Hose, but also committed nine of her team’s 29 turnovers.

The Blue Hose showed fight in the fourth quarter, outscoring Gardner-Webb 17-9, but the deficit was too large to overcome. Presbyterian finished the game shooting 44.1% from the field and matched Gardner-Webb at the free-throw line, also making 16 of 20.

The victory gives Gardner-Webb momentum heading into the final stretch of the conference schedule. The Runnin’ Bulldogs have now won three straight games after defeating Charleston Southern and Winthrop earlier in the week. Presbyterian, which entered the game having lost 10 of its last 11, continues to search for consistency.

Gardner-Webb next travels to face Longwood on Wednesday. Presbyterian will host Winthrop, also on Wednesday.

The game was played before an announced crowd of 287.