Date Posted: 3/9/2007

DOTHAN, Ala. – Behind an impressive defensive performance, top-seeded Belmont dispatched No. 4 Gardner-Webb 57-48 in the Dothan Civic Center at the Atlantic Sun Championship. With the victory, the Bruins advance to the A-Sun title game for the first time since joining the conference in the 2001-02 campaign.

The Bruins (24-6) led from the tip to the final horn and limited the Bulldogs to just 15-of-53 (28.3%) shooting from the floor. Belmont blocked nine shots including a tournament record eight blocked shots from sophomore Jessica Bobbitt. The win avenges last year’s Gardner-Webb (15-16) victory when the two teams met in the semifinals.

Sophomore Jessica Bobbitt started her standout performance with an elbow jumper in the game’s opening minutes to give the Bruins an early lead that they would not relinquish the entire night. After Gardner-Webb cut the Belmont advantage to 5-4 following a pair of Novia Sturdivant free throws, the Bruins went on an 8-1 run to regain control.

GWU scored the final five points of the first half to claw back into the contest, trailing just 29-24 at the intermission. The break suited Belmont just fine as the Bruins went on a 15-2 run to start the second half and the Bulldogs managed to get only as close as nine points for the rest of the game.

Shaunda Strayhorn scored 13 points highlighted by three three-pointers to pace the balanced Bruins. Bobbitt finished with eight blocks, 10 rebounds and five assists while A-Sun Player of the Year Alysha Clark posted her 18th double-double of the season scoring 12 points and ripping down 13 boards. Brittany Boyce bounced of the bench to pace GWU with 11 points. The Bruins have now won 17 of their last 19 games overall.

Belmont will meet the winner of tonight’s nightcap between No. 2 Jacksonville and No. 3 ETSU.

Related Links:
 • Full Coverage at Championship Page