BOX SCORE

RADFORD, Va. – Radford used a strong first half to build a 35-13 halftime lead and defeat Ferrum, 55-38, in its season opener, Monday evening from the Dedmon Center.

Radford forced 17 turnovers and Kaylyn Crosier tallied 11 of her team-high 13 points, as the Highlanders raced out to their big halftime advantage. In all, seven Highlanders pitched into the scoring column and 14 of RU's 35 points came off Ferrum miscues.

The Panthers came out firing in the second half and cut the Highlanders' lead to 13 early and got within 10 with just under four minutes to play. However, Radford hit three straight shots to end any comeback bid and earn the 17-point win.

POST-GAME: Head coach Tajama Abraham Ngongba

Crosier was joined in double figures by Victoria Hamilton, who tallied 11 points.

“I thought we did a better job in the first half than in the second with our intensity, consistency and executing our game plan,” said third-year head coach Tajama Abraham Ngongba. “Overall though, I was pleased with our effort and execution at times and it was great to see everybody able to contribute.”

Ferrum's Brittney Bullock led everyone on the court with 16 points, 14 in the second half, and nine rebounds. Kristen Keith added 13 points, eight rebounds and a game best four blocks.

In a rare occurance, Radford was at home for its season opener. The last time the Highlanders played host to another school in their season opener was on Nov. 20, 1999 when Mount St. Mary's traveled to the Dedmon Center.

It also marked just the 11th time in 40 seasons, Radford was at home to start the season as it improved to 30-10 all-time in home openers.

Crosier, who hit her first five shots and was 5-for-6 in the first stanza, drained a three on the Highlanders' first possession igniting Radford to a quick 7-0 start.

After Kayla Goins drained a jumper to get Ferrum within 8-4 at 14:19, Radford's Katherine Brocketthit a triple and a pair of free throws to jump start a game-changing 19-4 run over the next 6:37 pushing Radford's lead to 27-7 with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half.

The Highlanders, who shot 42 percent in the first half and held the Panthers to 23 percent, would extend their lead to as much as 23 before taking the 22-point advantage at the break. Along with the forced turnovers, Radford registered 10 steals over the first 20 minutes, three each by redshirt senior Brooke McElroy and senior Ciara Hayes.

Two freebees by FC's Kristen Keith capped off a 9-2 run that cut RU's lead to 10 (46-36) at 3:54. That would be as close as the Panthers would get as Hamilton and Wood drained jumpers and Crosier hit a driving layup to end the comeback threat.

Wood chipped in with eight points, three rebounds and two steals. Radford finished with 14 thefts led by McElroy's game-best four.

Radford hits the road for its next three contest, beginning with a trip to our nation's capital to battle Howard on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.