RADFORD GRINDS OUT OVERTIME THRILLER, 72-69, AT GARDNER-WEBB

BOX SCORE BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – For the fifth time in the series, Radford and Gardner-Webb battled into overtime before the Highlanders reigned victorious by outlasting the Runnin' Bulldogs, 72-69, Thursday night inside Paul Porter Arena.

Since Dec. 12, 2004, extra time has been needed in five out of the 11 meetings between the two squads, including four out of the previous six encounters. GWU was unbeaten in overtime contests against Radford until Thursday.

“I am really relieved we got this win,” expressed head coach Tajama Abraham Ngongba. “It was a tough game. Gardner-Webb is a very physical team—very athletic and very talented. We did a great job of handling the pressure and keeping our composure in a very tough environment.”

Leading the way was Ashley Buckhannon, who finished the night with game highs of 20 points and five assists. Tying her career high of 16 points was Sarah Tabb, who knocked down 5-of-7 from the floor and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe. Ironically, the other 16-point outing Tabb had came against the Runnin' Bulldogs last season in Boiling Springs.

Ayana Avery rounded out three double-figure scorers for the Highlanders (7-6, 2-2 Big South) with 13 points, including a critical 3-pointer late in regulation to keep RU's hopes of a comeback victory alive. Victoria Hamilton reeled in a game-high 11 boards to go along with nine points, while Jordynn Gaymon filled up the stat sheet with nine rebounds and eight points.

Paced by four players in double figures, the Runnin' Bulldogs (7-9, 0-5 Big South) shot 44.3 percent from the hardwood. Preseason all-conference selection Catrina Green notched 11 points, all in the second stanza, to go along with six caroms to lead the hosts.

Candace Brown (11), Lana Doran (10) and Jessica Heilig (10) also reached double digits in the scoring column for GWU.

Despite Gardner-Webb edging the Highlanders in the rebounding category (47-45), RU attacked the glass for 27 second-chance points compared to 10 by the hosts. Radford also had more points in the paint (36-32) and points off turnovers (19-13).

With the Runnin' Bulldogs ahead 57-51 and 1:48 to go in regulation, RU rattled off six unanswered points to tie the game and force overtime. Hamilton got the rally started with a free throw at the 1:40 mark to cut the deficit to five.

After a pair of empty possessions Radford finally broke through when Avery nailed a trifecta from the far corner in front of the Highlander bench to close the gap to two (57-55) with 40 seconds remaining.

When Brown missed both free throws on the other end for GWU, Diani Mason skied for the rebound and darted up court. She found an open Buckhannon on the wing who passed up the 3-pointer and dished it down low for Tabb, who converted a hook shot in the lane to complete the comeback with 18 ticks showing on the clock.

Having to dodge one more bullet, Radford's defense stood strong as Jasmine Dales' trey from the near wing clanked off the iron to set-up the extra period.

The Highlanders raced out to an early five-point advantage behind four points from Buckhannon and two by Tabb. Dale drilled a 3-ball with four seconds left in overtime to pull the Runnin' Bulldogs within one (70-69), prompting a timeout by GWU.

On the inbounds play, Buckhannon zipped a pass to Mason who cashed in the dime for two to provide the three-point victory.

“I was really proud of our effort, especially on the boards against a team that is second in the conference in rebounding,” Ngongba said. “To have 27 second-chance points against Gardner-Webb is huge and I credit our hustle and determination to stay mentally tough even though our initial shots weren't falling.”

Following a Hamilton layup at the 7:36 mark of the opening stanza, Gardner-Webb launched an 11-0 run to claim a commanding 27-13 advantage.

A Buckhannon trey with 3:07 to go before intermission broke a four-minute scoring drought to initiate an 8-2 surge to cut the Highlanders' deficit to eight (29-21) with just over a minute on the clock. Mayhana Dunovant sank a desperation jumper at the buzzer to give GWU a 31-21 edge at the break.

The Runnin' Bulldogs torched the nets by connecting on 52 percent of their shots, while holding RU to 23.3 percent in the first frame. Both squads committed nine turnovers, while the Highlanders edged Gardner-Webb on the glass (19-17).

Opening the second half on a 24-8 rally, Radford was able to reclaim the lead at 45-39 with 9:23 remaining in the contest. Trailing 49-45, the Runnin' Bulldogs mounted an 8-0 comeback to burst ahead, 56-49, at the 3:32 mark before the visitors stormed back.

Continuing its two-game road trip through the Carolinas, RU is set to battle league-leading Presbyterian College Saturday at 5:00 p.m. inside the Templeton Center. The Blue Hose are unbeaten in Big South play at 5-0, in addition to their 10-6 overall ledger.

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