RADFORD, Va. – Sophomore Taleia Moton (Fort Washington, Md./Suitland) scored a game-high 27 points and senior Johnette Walker (Columbia, S.C./Irmo) came up with a key steal and two clutch free throws with 11 seconds left as Radford moved into a tie for second place with a 53-48 victory over UNC Asheville, Monday evening from the Dedmon Center.

Box Score

Trailing 40-36 with 4:47 left in the game, Moton hit a layup and junior Davida Dodson (Silver Spring, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt) drained a triple on the next possession to put the Highlanders (10-16, 9-6 Big South) up for good 41-40 with 3:40 remaining.

Radford pushed its lead to 43-40 and was able to answer each UNCA bucket down the stretch and then hit its final four free throws to ice the game. Walker's free throws came after she forced a jump ball at the top of the three-point arc and was fouled on the ensuing inbounds.

“I am really proud of this team tonight,” said head coach Tajama Ngongba. “They were really poised despite their shots not fall for most of the game.”

It was Moton's fourth 20-point performance and 22nd double-figure game of the season as she shot 9-for-18 from the field and 8-of-12 from the charity stripe. Junior Kymesha Alston (Hampton, Va./Manhattan) notched her third double-double in four games and sixth of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Walker finished with eight points, tying Corrie Fertitta (2004-08) for sixth on Radford's scoring list (1,215).

Jessica Monroe and Linda Aughburns registered 13 and 10 points, respectively for the Bulldogs (10-18, 7-8 Big South). Aughburns pulled down a team-best nine rebounds, helping UNCA win the battle on the glass, 42-40.

Behind 14 first half points from Moton, Radford took a 23-22 lead into halftime. In a half that saw both teams struggle to shoot the ball, Moton hit 5-of-9 field goals, scoring her team's final 12 points. The Highlanders managed to shoot just 26.5 percent (9-34), while the Bulldogs hit 36 percent (10-28) of their shots.

Radford grabbed its largest lead of the half with a 7-1 run, capped off by a Moton layup, to take a 13-7 lead at 7:50. The Bulldogs clawed their way back, holding the Highlanders scoreless for four minutes. Over that period, UNCA scored seven straight points to grab a 16-13 advantage on Lindsey Montgomery's baseline jumper at 3:41. With the clock winding down and UNCA looking for the last shot of the half, Moton recorded a steal and hit a pair of free throws with 0.8 seconds left, giving Radford the one-point halftime advantage.

“We lightened the mood in the lockerroom and took a deep breath before coming out for the second half. We came out more collected, moving with a purpose and finding open players with sharp passes,” commented Ngongba.

The Highlanders and Bulldogs shot 30 and 36 percent from the field, respectively. Radford won the turnover battle, 19-15 and recorded 14 steals.

Radford closes out the regular season on Friday, March 6 when it hosts Liberty at 7 p.m. The Highlanders will honor their seniors with a presentation prior to the game. The Bulldogs wrap up their regular season on Saturday, March 7 at Winthrop. Tip time is 7 p.m.