The High Point University women's basketball team defeated Gardner-Webb, 73-44 this afternoon in the Millis Athletic Center. HPU improves to 4-3 on the season while GWU falls to 2-6.

Leading the Panthers was senior Candyce Sellars and sophomore Caitlin Thys with 13 points each. Thys was 5-of-6 from the field. Amber Manuel was strong on the boards for the Panthers, pulling down eight rebounds.

For the Bulldogs Meranda Burnett led the team with 14 points while Brittany Harmon pulled down 17 rebounds.

High Point came out strong to open the game taking an early 22-4 lead at the 10:35 mark off a jumper from Andrea Tucker. The Panthers held the double digit advantage throughout the first half, going up by as many as 20 (32-12) when Tucker hit another jumper with 2:48 left in the first period. Gardner-Webb scored three straight baskets to close out the half with HPU taking a 32-17 score into the break.

The Panthers got on the board first coming out of the intermission when Manuel nailed a lay-up to increase the lead back to 17. High Point dominated the second half of the game to take a 26 point lead at 10:12 (53-27) off a jumper by Thys. HPU closed out the game  outscoring the Bulldogs 20-17.

"I thought we had a pretty good game offensively," said High Point head coach Tooey Loy. "It was a great effort from everyone on the team. Our defense suffocated them and I have to give them a lot of credit for the way they played."

High Point held Gardner-Webb to just four baskets from the field in the first half. The Panthers forced 20 Bulldog turnovers and held the narrow, 47-42 margin on the boards.

The Panthers return to action on Saturday, Dec. 16 when they travel to Campbell to face the Camels at 4:00 p.m.