HIGHLANDERS WITHSTAND HIGH POINT RALLY, PERSEVERE 64-55

BOX SCORE HIGH POINT, N.C. – After grabbing its first double-figure lead in the second half, Radford women's basketball had to fend off a furious High Point comeback that allowed the Panthers to reclaim the lead, but the Highlanders held on for the crucial 64-55 Big South victory Saturday evening at the Millis Center.

“What a game,” expressed a relieved head coach Tajama Abraham Ngongba. “I am so proud of our defensive intensity and the way we showed resiliency when they made that rally. Our girls did a tremendous job tonight because High Point is a very talented team.”

For the second straight outing, Da'Naria Erwin Spencer led the Highlanders (11-7, 6-3 Big South) with 17 points on 5-of-11 shooting to go along with a 7-for-10 performance from the charity stripe.

Ayana Avery played phenomenal in front of her home crowd, torching the nets for 10 points, which included two critical 3-pointers in response to High Point's second-half surge. Ashia Holmes was credited with a career-high-tying four assists.

Coming in as the third-best team in the Big South in rebounding (43.8), High Point was held to just 37 (tied for the fourth-fewest this season) while RU hauled in 40. Jordynn Gaymon led the way in the rebounding department for the Highlanders with eight.

“After the way we performed on the glass against Campbell, it was an immediate issue we needed to address,” Ngongba said. “The hustle, scrappiness and determination I saw out there today from each Highlander that stepped on that court is the kind of effort I want to see consistently.”

Breaking the 20-point plateau for the second consecutive game, Stacia Robertson knocked down a game-high 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting for the Panthers (12-8, 6-3 Big South).

However, much of Radford's attention was focused on how to slow down Cheyenne Parker, who entered the conference clash with the second-most double-doubles in the nation (15). Despite registering her 16th double-double of the season (12 points and 11 rebounds), Parker was held in check compared to most nights she has. The 6-4 junior, who leads the nation at 4.4 blocks per game, totaled a game-high five rejections against RU.

“Parker is an elite player who blocks, rebounds and causes so many shot alterations on the defensive end for High Point,” Ngongba explained. “Then on the offensive side, she is their go-to player. I want to commend Sarah [Tabb], Jordynn [Gaymon] and La-She' [Walker] on an outstanding job of forcing her out of the paint and limiting her touches.”

Junior guard Tayler Tremblay put up nine points and a game-high five steals for the hosts.

After spotting High Point an 11-5 lead at the first media timeout, the Highlanders responded resiliently. Gaymon's layup with 15:00 to go in the opening half of action ignited a 20-5 comeback spanning over seven minutes that propelled RU in front 25-16 with 7:58 showing on the clock.

By scoring the next six points, the Panthers were able to cut their deficit to three (25-22) at the 4:35 mark. However, Radford outscored the hosts 7-3 to end the half and go into its locker room ahead, 32-25.

Opening on a 5-0 spurt behind Erwin Spencer's three points and a deuce by Sarah Tabb, the Highlanders built a double-digit lead (37-25) less than two minutes into the second stanza.

Trailing 43-31 with 15:20 remaining in the contest, HPU put together a game-changing rally. Tremblay's free throws at the 14:58 mark fueled a 16-2 streak capped by a Lexi Patterson layup that pushed the Panthers ahead, 47-45, with 7:44 remaining.

Following a Parker scoop shot that gave the hosts their last lead at 51-49, RU went on a 10-2 run featuring two bombs from deep by Avery that halted High Point's comeback and propelled the Highlanders in front 59-53 at the 3:29 mark. Going 5-for-8 from the charity stripe down the stretch, Radford was able to hold on for its sixth win in the last seven outings.

Despite the Panthers having the higher shooting percentage (40.7), Radford (38.6 percent) was able to convert 17 HPU miscues into a 19-8 advantage in points off turnovers. The Highlanders' bench outscored the opponent's reserves, 27-10.

Continuing its season-long four-game road swing, Radford visits the Palmetto State for a pair of Big South tilts next week. On deck will be Charleston Southern in a Jan. 31 showdown inside Buccaneer Field House. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. from Charleston, S.C.

High Point welcomes the Lady Flames of Liberty to the Millis Center for its next contest, Feb. 2 at 3:30 p.m.

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