GAME NOTES
LIVE STATS
RADFORD, Va. – Tip off on the hardwood is right around the corner and the Radford women's basketball team is expected to improve upon a second-place regular season finish from a year ago.
“As we approach the season, we realize that expectations are high,” commented 2011 Big South Coach of the Year
Tajama Abraham Ngongba. “We plan on bringing tremendous fight and energy every time we step on the floor.”
The season gets underway Saturday, Nov. 13 in a home matchup with Eastern Mennonite at 3 p.m. The Royals were 15-11 (13-7 ODAC) last season and return their second and third leading scorers Kala Yoders (12.0) and Sara Lamneck (10.0) from a year ago.
The Highlanders were picked to finish third in the preseason coaches/media poll, announced Oct. 11 at media day, trailing only High Point and preseason favorite Liberty. A preseason all-conference selection, junior
Da'Naria Erwin Spencer (Charlotte, N.C./East Mecklenburg) will be the floor general for the Highlanders. Bringing back 13.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, the junior guard will provide the leadership on a team with no seniors.
College Sports Madness also placed the Highlanders' point guard in their all-conference preseason first team publication.
In addition to Erwin Spencer, Radford brings back 47 percent of the scoring and is comprised of six juniors, two sophomores and five freshmen.
Victoria Hamilton (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands/Antilles School),
Ashley Buckhannon (Wytheville, Va./George Wythe),
Sarah Tabb (Chesapeake, Va./StoneBridge School),
Ema Reskoska (Ohrid, Macedonia/Veritas Christian Academy (N.C.)) and
Katherine Brockett (Geelong, Australia/Kardinia International College) make up the junior class while
Breshara Gordon (Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor) and junior college All-America transfer
Tiana Cannon (Atlantic City, N.J./Coffeyville CC) represent the sophomores.
Highlighting the freshman class is
Ayana Avery (Cleveland, N.C./West Rowan), who was tabbed freshman of the year by
College Sports Madness.
“It's going to be a toss up with our freshmen on who will step up the most because they're all so talented, but Ayana is without question a highly-coveted prospect.”
NOTES
Home Stretch… Radford begins the season with four straight home games, the longest stretch in program history.
Milestone Tracker… Erwin Spencer is 377 points shy of 1,000 for her career. If accomplished this season, she will become only the fourth player in Radford history to do so by the conclusion of her junior season.
Leadership Roles… On a team with no seniors, six juniors on this year's roster will take on new leadership roles for the Highlanders.
Series History with EMU… Radford leads the all-time series with Eastern Mennonite 3-1, with the last matchup coming 37 years ago in the 1973-74 campaign.
Home Openers… Radford has compiled a 10-1 all-time record in home openers and hosts the season-opening tip for the second straight year.
.500 in the opener… Radford is 20-20 in season openers. Overall, the Highlanders will be welcoming their 18th in-state opponent for a home opener. They are 14-2 in those games and defeated Ferrum a year ago, 55-38.
