SLOW START DOOMS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL IN 84-64 DEFEAT

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RADFORD, Va. – Charleston Southern opened the game with a 33-6 lead and never looked back en route to its 84-64 triumph over Radford in Big South women's basketball action Saturday evening at the Dedmon Center.

Despite trailing 54-26 at halftime, the Highlanders (2-10, 0-3 Big South) showed a great deal of fight in the second stanza. By turning up its defensive pressure, Radford forced the Buccaneers (4-6, 1-1 Big South) into nine turnovers in the final 20 minutes. RU converted those miscues into a 12-4 favor in points off turnovers.

Once behind by as many as 32, the Highlanders closed the gap to 14 (70-56) with 5:44 remaining following an Ayana Avery 3-pointer from the left wing. However, RU could get no closer the rest of the way. With her three triples, Avery moves into fourth place all-time in 3-pointers made in program history with 123. The junior finished with a team-high 14 points.

Aisha Foy continued to impress with her seventh double-figure scoring effort of the season behind 13 points. Although foul trouble limited her playing time to 18 minutes, Rachael Ross contributed 12 points. Kiera McIvor added nine points and a team-best seven rebounds, while De'June Robinson dropped in a season-high eight points behind her 5-for-6 performance at the charity stripe.

Anicia Dotson chalked up game highs of 22 points and 11 rebounds for CSU. Erin Bratcher delivered 21 points behind her 6-for-8 clip from downtown. The six 3-pointers made by Bratcher ties the Dedmon Center individual record. DJ Fowler tallied 13 points and 10 assists for the Bucs' second double-double.

The Bucs shot a sizzling 56.7 percent (17-30) from the hardwood, including 58.3 percent (7-12) from downtown in the first half en route to the 28-point spread at the break. After cooling down in the second stanza, CSU finished at 49.1 percent (27-55). Radford concluded the game at 37.3 percent (22-59).

RU concludes its three-game homestand Monday against Coastal Carolina at 3 p.m. as part of a basketball doubleheader with the men's team, which plays Houghton at 5:30 p.m.

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