Gardner-Webb Ready for Big South Championship Battle in Johnson City

Freedom Hall Civic Center hosts five-day tournament as Runnin’ Bulldogs prepare for tough matchups

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb men’s and women’s basketball teams are ready to take the court in the 2025 Hercules Tires Big South Basketball Championships, set to take place March 5-9 at Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, Tenn. Both teams are eager to make a deep run in the tournament and battle for the conference title.

Big South Tournament Details

The tournament begins Wednesday, March 5, and runs through Sunday, March 9. Gardner-Webb’s women’s team enters as the No. 6 seed and will face No. 3 Radford on Thursday, March 6, at 8:30 p.m. Meanwhile, the men’s team comes in as the No. 8 seed, taking on No. 9 USC Upstate on Wednesday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. The winner of that game will advance to play top-seeded High Point on Friday at noon.

All games will be played at the Freedom Hall Civic Center, and fans can catch the tournament action live, with games airing on ESPN+, and the championship games set for ESPN2.

Women’s Basketball Season Highlights

Gardner-Webb’s women’s team (11-17, 8-8 Big South) has shown remarkable improvement this season, boosting its win total and making strides on both ends of the floor.

• Ashley Hawkins is the 2024-25 Big South Player of The Year. She led the Big South in multiple statistical categories, including minutes played (35.9), points per game (19.0), and assists per game (4.8). She made headlines with a 47-point performance against Queens in December, the highest single-game scoring effort by a player in the conference this season. Hawkins also surpassed 1,000 career points.
• Elze Motekaityte, a transfer from Virginia Commonwealth University, has set career highs across the board, averaging 9.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while playing the most minutes of her career.
• Elle Blatchford, who transferred from Southern Miss, has been one of the best shooters in the Big South, finishing second in the league in three-pointers made (51) and three-point percentage (.378) despite missing the final five games of the season.
• Kendall Scott, a freshman, emerged as a key contributor late in the season, winning back-to-back Big South Freshman of the Week honors and finishing the year with five straight double-digit scoring performances.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs enter the tournament looking to build on their late-season momentum and make a deep run in the bracket.

Men’s Basketball Season Highlights

The Gardner-Webb men’s team (10-19, 5-10 Big South) has battled through a competitive Big South schedule and looks to make some noise in the tournament.

• Anthony Selden and Jamaine Mann both reached the 1,000-career-point milestone this season, cementing their legacies as Runnin’ Bulldogs.
• Darryl Simmons II has been one of the top scorers in the conference, ranking third in the Big South with 17.4 points per game. He erupted for a career-high 40 points at Winthrop and led the league with 78 three-pointers made this season.
• Mann also had a standout performance with a career-best 30 points against Charleston Southern and ranks fifth in the Big South in rebounds against conference opponents.
• The Runnin’ Bulldogs claimed the Mayan Bracket Championship at the Cancun Challenge earlier this season.
• Isaiah Richards has been dominant on the boards, leading the team with 7.1 rebounds per game and recording three double-doubles on the season.
• Gardner-Webb excelled beyond the arc with a single game mark, leading the Big South in three-pointers made in a one game (17 vs. Presbyterian).

As the No. 8 seed, the Runnin’ Bulldogs will look to start strong in their opening-round matchup against USC Upstate, with the goal of advancing deeper into the tournament.

How to Watch & Tournament Information

Fans can follow the tournament action on ESPN+ for early-round games, with Sunday’s championship showdowns airing on ESPN2. The tournament champions will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

For tickets and additional tournament details, visit BigSouthSports.com/Tickets.

About Johnson City

Johnson City, Tenn., is a top destination for outdoor adventure and vibrant city life. Named a Top Adventure Town by Blue Ridge Outdoors, the city offers stunning mountain views, local eateries, and a historic downtown district. For more on Johnson City, visit www.visitjohnsoncitytn.com.

About Gardner-Webb

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.