ERWIN SPENCER MAKES HISTORY AS RADFORD FALLS IN SEASON OPENER, 65-63

BOX SCORE HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Senior guard Da'Naria Erwin Spencer netted 14 points to become the third player in Radford women's basketball history to be listed in the Top-10 for points, assists, and steals, but the Highlanders were edged, 65-63, by Marshall in both teams' season opener Friday afternoon inside the Cam Henderson Center.

Erwin Spencer's 14-point outing pushed her past Beth Cleavenger (1,161), Kelli Tull (1,163), Jennifer Grant (1,165) and Rebecca McNeil (1,174). The Charlotte, N.C. native has 1,175 points in her career and is ninth on the all-time list.

Sophomore Ayana Avery led the Highlanders (0-1) with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-6 from deep. Sarah Tabb hauled in a game-high nine rebounds for Radford, which shot 39.3 percent from the floor. Ashley Buckhannon and Victoria Hamilton were credited with four steals apiece.

Shay Weaver put up a game-high 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-7 from behind the arc for the Thundering Herd (1-0). Suporia Dickens chipped in 12 points, while Veronica Ruiz grabbed a team-best eight rebounds. Marshall shot 46 percent from the floor, including a sizzling 56 percent clip in the first half.

Trailing by 12 (39-27) at the half, the Highlanders darted out of the gates to open the second stanza. A Tabb layup at the 18:39 mark ignited a 13-2 run to trim Radford's deficit to one (41-40). With the score 45-42 in favor of the Thundering Herd, Breshara Gordon converted four-straight free throws to give RU its first lead of the contest (46-45).

On the next trip down the court for the Highlanders, Erwin Spencer drained a deuce to extend their advantage to three (48-45). However, Marshall regained its lead following a Weaver three-point play to go ahead, 50-49. Tabb cashed in a layup off a nice find by Erwin Spencer to reclaim the lead at 51-50 moments later.

Weaver dialed in one of her four 3-pointers on the other end of the court to give the Thundering Herd a 53-51 edge. The hosts stretched their lead to 62-55 with 2:40 showing on the clock, before Radford made one final charge. With the score 63-58 at the 1:51 mark, Erwin Spencer connected on the first of her two free throws to pull within 63-59.

The senior missed her second attempt, but Buckhannon was there to pull down the offensive rebound. The ball found its way to Avery who canned a jumper to get the Highlanders within three (63-60) and prompt Marshall to call a timeout. Out of the break, Hamilton forced a huge Thundering Herd miscue and Avery drilled her fourth and final triple of the outing to knot the game at 63.

On the ensuing Marshall possession, Orlandria Williams was sent to the charity stripe where she converted both attempts for a 65-63 advantage with 1:15 remaining in the contest. Radford had several chances to tie or even win the game down the stretch, but the Thundering Herd's defense withstood the challenge to hold on for the victory.

The Highlanders return to the court Tuesday, Nov. 13, at UNC Greensboro. The non-conference clash tips at 7:00 p.m. from Fleming Gym in Greensboro, N.C. Radford won last season's encounter with the Spartans, 75-67, inside the Dedmon Center.

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