BOX SCORE

NORFOLK, Va. – Victoria Hamilton (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands/Antilles School) recorded her second career double-double and Da'Naria Erwin Spencer (Charlotte, N.C./East Mecklenburg) added a game-high 20 points to lead Radford women's basketball past Norfolk State, 80-68, Friday evening at Echols Hall.
 
Hamilton recorded her third straight double-digit rebound performance, matching a season-high with 12 boards.  She was also one of three Highlanders in double figures with 15 points.  In addition to Erwin Spencer's 20 points, Ashley Buckhannon (Wytheville, Va./George Wythe) also chipped in with 15. 
 
Norfolk State placed three in double figures, led by Rae Corbo's 19 points. Whitney Long and Quineshia Leonard had 13 and 11 points, respectively.  Rachel Gordon was a big factor on the boards, pulling down a game-high 13. 
 
It was a tale of two halves as the difference in the game came on the offensive glass. In the first half, Radford had 15 offensive rebounds compared to just five for Norfolk State, which led to a 15-0 advantage in second-chance points.  The Spartans' came out more aggressive in the second half, holding a 14-7 edge and a 13-7 advantage in second-chance points. 
 
After Radford saw an 18-point lead with 13:21 remaining, Norfolk State slowly chipped away at the lead and pulled within as many as five. Radford kept its composure, however, and held the Spartans without a field goal in the last 3:21.
 
The Highlanders grabbed the first lead, 2-0, on a jumper by Buckhannon. The Spartans answered quickly with a 10-0 spurt.  Radford battled back with an 11-5 run of its own, highlighted by two quick treys by Buckhannon and one by Ayana Avery (Cleveland, N.C./West Rowan). Corbo drained a jumper at 8:42 to tie the game, 21-21, but an ensuing 15-foot jump shot by Ashia Holmes gave Radford the lead for good.
 
Radford ends its season-long six-game road swing at Virginia on Nov. 18. Tip-off at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 2 p.m.