Jurica Hargraves connected on 5-of-5 from behind the arc and poured in 22 points to lead the High Point University women's basketball team past Gardner-Webb, 55-44 on Monday night in the Millis Athletic Center. HPU improves to 4-0 in Big South play while GWU falls to 0-4 in the League.

Hargraves shot 7-of-14 overall from the field. LaTeisha Dean added 11 points on 5-of-10 from the field. The Panthers shot a stellar 70-percent as a team from behind the arc, going 7-of-10.

For the Runnin' Bulldogs Laura Povilonyte recorded a double-double with 15 points and 15 boards. LaTroya Pope pulled down 10 rebounds.

Both teams got off to a slow start in the opening period of play. With 12:15 on the clock GWU held the 7-5 advantage, but both teams went scoreless over the next three minutes before a jumper from GWU's Ashley Falknor fell with 9:21 remaining to put the Runnin' Bulldogs up 9-5. High Point quickly responded with a three pointer from Hargraves followed by back-to-back baskets from Dean to put HPU on top 13-11 with just over seven minutes to go. Hargraves hit back-to-back three pointers for the Panthers to give them their largest lead of the half, 23-14 with a minute remaining. Courtney Epps hit a shot from outside the arc to cut into the High Point lead as the Panthers took a 23-17 advantage into the break.

The Panthers continued their run into the second half, taking an 11 point lead, 37-36 at the 15:26 mark. HPU held GWU scoreless over the four minutes to take the team's largest lead of the game, on top 15 (43-28) with 9:44 to go. Gardner Webb cut the lead down to nine with 7:10 on the clock, but that is as close as it would come as HPU rolled to the win.

Gardner-Webb held the 42-33 advantage on the boards. High Point forced 26 turnovers, giving the ball up 19 times.

High Point will be back in action on Thursday, Jan. 15 when the team steps out of Big South play to host its oldest rival Elon. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in the Millis Center.