RADFORD SET FOR THURSDAY DUEL WITH SPARTANS ON THE HARDWOOD

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RADFORD, Va. – Continuing its two-game homestand, Radford women's basketball entertains its second foe from Virginia's Tidewater region in Norfolk State, Thursday, Dec. 13 at 7:00 p.m. inside the Dedmon Center.

MEET THE SPARTANS

♦ Entering Thursday's matchup with a 1-6 ledger, Norfolk State is coming off a 2011-12 campaign where it reached double-digit wins (12-17) for just the second time in 10 seasons.
♦ Kashay Barnes and Quineshia Leonard lead the Spartans at 10.4 and 9.9 points per game, respectively. Rae Corbo averages double figures as well (10.0), but will not play after tearing her ACL against USC Upstate in the second game of the season.
♦ Rachel Gordon pulls down a team-best 12.1 rebounds per contest.
♦ After recording a season-opening victory over Penn (60-51), NSU has dropped six-straight decisions.
♦ Norfolk State enters Thursday's tilt averaging 56.9 points per contest, while giving up 62.3 points per outing to its opponents.
♦ The Spartans will be a challenge to keep off the glass as they collect 45.6 rebounds per game.

SERIES HISTORY

♦ The all-time series between the Highlanders and the Spartans dates back to the 1974-75 season with Radford leading 7-3. RU took an 80-68 decision from Norfolk State last season on the road.

LAST MEETING WITH NORFOLK STATE

♦ Victoria Hamilton recorded her second career double-double and Da'Naria Erwin Spencer added a game-high 20 points to lead Radford women's basketball past Norfolk State, 80-68, on Dec. 16, 2011 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 also chipped in with 15.
♦ 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 in offensive rebounds 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.

WHAT'S NEXT

♦ Playing their third and final ACC foe this season, the Highlanders hit the road for a Sunday, Dec. 16 tilt with Clemson. The two sides will meet for the first time since Jan. 14, 1991, a 90-45 Tiger victory. Radford has never beaten Clemson in the four previous encounters.

LAST TIME OUT

♦ Freshman Aisha Foy erupted for a season-high 16 points as Radford women's basketball returned to its winning ways Saturday evening inside the Dedmon Center with a 72-55 victory over William & Mary.
♦ Foy, whose previous season-high was four points against Southern Illinois two weeks ago, did most of her damage from behind the arc. The Virginia Beach, Va. native dropped four bombs from deep and connected on all four of her free-throw attempts.
♦ Sophomore Ayana Avery paced four Highlanders in double figures with 17 points on 6-of-14 shooting. Seniors Ashley Buckhannon and Da'Naria Erwin Spencer rang up 14 and 12 points, respectively, while also tallying five thefts apiece. Victoria Hamilton reeled in a game-high 10 rebounds for the home squad.
♦ Radford shot 38.7 percent (24-of-62) from the floor, while holding the visitors to 36 percent (18-of-50). W&M becomes the fifth opponent the Highlanders have held under 40-percent shooting for the season.
♦ RU showed tremendous hustle in winning the battle of the boards over the much taller Tribe, 44-31. The Highlanders cashed in 21 William & Mary turnovers into 23 points. Led by Avery and Foy, Radford outscored the Tribe's bench by an overwhelming margin of 33 (39-6).

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