Wednesday, January 31, 2001

WERNER LEADS BLUE HOSE TO AN 81-69 
WIN OVER GARDNER-WEBB
PC's Bonnie Werner leads four Blue Hose in double figures with career-high 18 points

CLINTON, SC -- Presbyterian College freshman guard Bonnie Werner (Kennesaw, GA) scored a career-high 18 points to lead four Blue Hose in double figures in tonight's 81-69 win over Gardner-Webb University.

The Blue Hose shook off a sluggish start to post a 33-28 halftime lead. Neither team took care of the ball in the first session with the Runnin' Bulldogs committing 14 turnovers and the Blue Hose giving away 12. PC led at the half after hitting nine-of-10 free throws. The Runnin' Bulldogs were led in the first half by the solid post play of senior center Angela Thornton (Columbus, GA) who scored 11 points by the break. PC's senior forward Rachel Sloan (Greenville, SC), the SAC Player of the Week, countered with 12 first half points of her own.

The second half saw the Blue Hose go ahead 44-34 at the 16:25 mark on a 11-6 run. Gardner-Webb responded and ran off six straight points to cut the lead 46-42 at the 14:47 mark. The Runnin' Bulldogs would not get any closer down the stretch as the Blue Hose pushed the lead to double figures as they shot 65.0% from the field in the second half.

The Blue Hose were led by Werner's career-high 18 points and career-tying four steals. Joining Werner for scoring honors was Sloan who scored 21 points with four rebounds and senior wing Tracy Woody (Mauldin, SC) who added 13 points and four assists. Rounding out the double figure scorers for PC was junior forward Toni Leopard (Ninety-Six, SC) who added 12 points and three rebounds.

Gardner-Webb was led by Thornton who tallied a game-high 24 points with seven rebounds and six assists while freshman guard Morgan Gourdine (Columbia, SC) added 14 points off the bench.

Presbyterian improves to 16-5 overall while Gardner-Webb falls to 8-14 on the season. The Blue Hose, ranked #2 in the NCAA Division II South Atlantic region poll, improved their home regular season win streak to 27 straight wins with the victory.