HAMILTON’S DOUBLE-DOUBLE LIFTS HIGHLANDERS TO 73-50 VICTORY OVER NORFOLK STATE

BOX SCORE RADFORD, Va. – Behind Victoria Hamilton's double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds), Radford secured a 73-50 decision over Norfolk State in non-conference women's basketball action Thursday night inside the Dedmon Center.

“I am very pleased with the way we shot the ball tonight, especially in the second half,” expressed head coach Tajama Abraham Ngongba. “It's a great night when we are able to place four players in double figures.”

Hamilton's double-double marks the first of the season for a Highlander and is the fourth of her career. The senior was one of four double-figure scorers for Radford (5-4).

Ashley Buckhannon paced the offensive attack with 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting. The Wytheville, Va. native drained four trifectas on the night to move into sole possession of third place in 3-pointers made in Radford women's basketball history. Her career total has risen to 124, two ahead of Kelli Tull (122 / 1996-2000).

Freshman Aisha Foy continued her stellar play with 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, while Jordynn Gaymon contributed 11 points via a 4-of-8 clip.

Ebony Brown charted a game-high 26 points for the Spartans (1-7), connecting on 11-of-18 from the court. Rachel Gordon collected a team-best eight boards for the visitors.

Once NSU cut its deficit to four (12-8) at the 12:41 mark of the first half, the Highlanders' defense stifled the opposition's offense for the next nine minutes, while embarking on a 17-3 streak to establish a 29-11 advantage.

Over the remaining three minutes of the half, Radford was held to just a La-She' Walker layup while the Spartans made a charge of their own to shrink the margin to 12 (31-19) at the break.

Shooting 39.4 percent (13-33) from the floor in the opening half of action, the Highlanders controlled the glass (24-15) to create a 14-2 advantage in second-chance points. RU's defense was stout, holding the visitors to 26.9 percent (7-26) shooting from the hardwood.

After Norfolk State got to within nine (47-38) of the Highlanders, a Gaymon layup jumpstarted a 14-2 surge to give Radford a 61-40 cushion with 6:14 to go in the contest. The Spartans were unable to get any closer than 18 the rest of the way as the hosts improved to 3-1 inside the Dedmon Center this season.

Thanks to a sizzling performance in the second half (53.1 percent), the Highlanders finished with a season-high 46.2 percent rating from the floor. Defensively, RU remained solid by holding Norfolk State to 32.1 percent for the contest.

The Spartans also were not aware of the block party hosted by Radford this evening as the hosts swatted a season-high eight shots from the opposition, led by Gaymon's four rejections. The Highlanders claimed the rebounding edge (41-36), second-chance points (18-9) and bench points (33-28).

After a successful 2-0 return to the Dedmon Center, Radford hits the road to wrap up non-conference action at Clemson, Sunday, Dec. 16. The Tigers, who are the third ACC opponent for the Highlanders this season, own a 4-0 lead in the all-time series that dates back to Jan. 18, 1988. Tipoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. from Littlejohn Coliseum.

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