RUTV: LATE RUNS IN EACH HALF LEAD HIGHLANDERS OVER COASTAL

Saturday, January 29

RADFORD

3:00 p.m.

Radford University

COASTAL CAROLINA

Photo by: DigItUpSports

RUTV: LATE RUNS IN EACH HALF LEAD HIGHLANDERS OVER COASTAL

1/29/2011 5:48:46 PM | Women's Basketball

BOX SCORE

RADFORD, Va. – Behind lengthy runs to close each half, first-place Radford held off Coastal Carolina, 66-55, in Big South women's basketball action on Homecoming Saturday at the Dedmon Center.

Ashley Buckhannon led three Highlanders in double figures with a season-high 18 points. Da'Naria Erwin Spencer added 13 and Denay Wood finished with 11, to go along with a career-high five of her clubs' 15 steals.

Despite shooting just 29.5 percent from the floor, the Highlanders (10-11, 7-1 Big South) finished 24-of-29 at the charity stripe for a .828 clip and 6-for-15 (.400) from long range.

POST-GAME: Tajama Abraham Ngongba

After starting 1-of-15 from the floor and falling behind 11-3, Radford closed the first half on a 22-6 streak capped off by an Erica Rivera trey at the buzzer to send the Highlanders into the break up, 25-17.

Tied at 39-39 with just over eight minutes to play, Radford outscored the Chanticleers 27-16 the rest of the way to run its winning streak to four straight. The final eight points came from the charity stripe as Radford was 22-of-17 in the second half.

Olivia Irick paced Coastal Carolina (6-13, 0-7 Big South) with a game-high 21 points, including 14 after intermission, while Sydnei Moss recorded a double-double with 18 points, 16 after the break, and 12 boards.

The Chanticleers, who shot 37.5 percent, finished with a 46-36 advantage on the glass.

Radford which forced 20 turnovers for the 14th time this season also held onto the ball with at season-low nine miscues.

Brooke McElroy also turned in a solid performance for the Highlanders with nine points and 11 rebounds, while Kahealani Vick tallied a career-high six blocks.

Katie White finished with seven blocks for the Chanticleers.

Radford will enjoy a week break before concluding its four-game homestand with a 3 p.m. contest against UNC Asheville on Saturday. The Chanticleers travel to Winthrop Monday evening.