VIDEO RECAP: MASON, DEFENSE GUIDE RADFORD INTO QUARTERFINALS

BOX SCORE CONWAY, S.C. – Continuing its defensive intensity from last game, Radford converted 25 turnovers into 25 points en route to the 56-39 triumph over UNC Asheville in the first round of the VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Women's Basketball Tournament Wednesday afternoon inside The HTC Center.

Improving to 15-13 on the season, the Highlanders advance to Friday's quarterfinal round where Presbyterian College will be waiting. The Bulldogs end their season at 2-28.

Freshman Diani Mason made a big splash in her tournament debut, dropping in a career-high-tying 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting to go along with three steals. Joining the Queens, N.Y. native in double figures was Sarah Tabb with 12 points. Mason and Tabb combined to go 8-for-8 from the charity stripe.

Behind nine rebounds apiece from Ashia Holmes (career-high) and Tabb, Radford won the battle of the boards (43-35). In addition to their rebounding edge, the Highlanders had the higher shooting percentage (37.1-26.2), scored more points in the paint (32-12) and had more bench production (18-6).

Jeannie Buckner, Gentry Manley and Grace Blaylock all chalked up eight points for UNCA. Buckner was credited with a game-high four steals, while Manley pulled down a team-best eight boards.

Connecting on four of its first six shots, Radford raced out to an 11-2 lead. Blaylock's scoop shot in the lane at the 13:05 mark allowed the Bulldogs to cut their deficit to 13-9, but that was as close as they could get as the Highlanders built a 32-21 advantage at intermission.

Forcing its opponent into 12 miscues in the opening frame, RU held a 17-4 favor in points off turnovers. The Highlanders were able to dictate the tempo of the first 20 minutes as well, cashing in nine fast-break points.

Radford stretched its lead to as many as 15 in the early going of the second stanza following a Breshara Gordon layup with 17:32 showing on the clock. The Bulldogs refused to go away, however, eventually pulling to within 46-39 at the 2:37 mark.

RU answered in a big way, scoring the final 10 points of the game to record its fourth straight win over UNC Asheville.

The quarterfinal between the Highlanders and the Blue Hose tips at 2:00 p.m. Friday from The HTC Center in Conway, S.C.

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