RADFORD FALLS SHORT TO LONGWOOD IN SEMIFINALS, 54-51

BOX SCORE CONWAY, S.C. – Despite four double-figure scorers, Radford came up short of reaching its 13th title game as the Highlanders were edged 54-51 by Longwood in the semifinals of the 2013 VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Women's Basketball Tournament held at The HTC Center Saturday night.

“Obviously we are very disappointed with the result,” head coach Tajama Abraham Ngongba said. “Longwood came out with a lot of energy and built a lead on us. I am very proud of my team. To come back and take the lead, if we hit a shot here or there, it could have been a different result.”

For the first time since Jan. 24 at Campbell, the Highlanders (16-14) received four double-digit scoring efforts. Leading the way was Victoria Hamilton, who recorded her seventh career double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds). The senior concludes her career with 656 rebounds, which ranks 11th all-time in program history.

Joining Hamilton in double figures were Breshara Gordon (13), Ashley Buckhannon (10) and Diani Mason (10). Buckhannon finishes with 1,141 points for her four years, which puts her 14th on the career-scoring chart at RU. Mason made a splash in her first conference tournament, averaging 13 points in the Highlanders' three games.

Led by senior Erin Neal's game-high 16 points and four steals, Longwood (14-18) will be making its first appearance in the Big South championship game. Neal was joined in double figures by All-Big South selection Daeisha Brown (14) and Chelsea Coward (10). Brown added nine rebounds and three steals.

Behind 50 percent shooting, Longwood established a 36-27 advantage at intermission. The Lancers wasted little time building an early lead as they led 11-5 with 14:35 to go before halftime. Ashley Buckhannon answered for the Highlanders with a 3-pointer and an and-one to even the score at 11 less than two minutes later.

After Longwood extended its lead to 20-13 at the 8:45 mark, Radford outscored its opposition 12-9 over the next six minutes to pull within 29-25. Ending the half on a 7-2 spurt, the Lancers were able to extend their lead to nine.

Still trailing by nine (42-33) at the 16:51 mark, the Highlanders made their move. Hamilton converted a layup with 16:14 showing on the clock to ignite a 13-7 surge that vaulted RU in front for the first time, 49-46.

Longwood had an answer as Brown scored four straight points and Coward cashed in a deuce to go back on top by three, 52-49, with 3:24 to go. Hamilton nailed a jumper a minute later to pull within a point, 52-51. However, Brown was able to make two free throws in the waning seconds to give the Lancers a three-point lead, which was the final margin.

Although Radford won the rebounding battle (48-38), Longwood had a 15-8 edge in second-chance points. In addition, the Lancers outscored RU, 12-4, on the fast break. The Highlanders did manage advantages in points in the paint (32-24) and bench points (12-3). However, RU could not overcome 31.1 percent shooting.

“We couldn't have gotten better looks on offense,” Ngongba said. “I think we lost our legs a little and that is the downfall of having to play three games in four days. Some nights the ball just doesn't fall. I was really proud of our heart and composure.”

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