WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GRINDS OUT 57-51 VICTORY OVER LONGWOOD

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RADFORD, Va. – Radford's defense put Longwood on lockdown Thursday night by holding the Lancers to a season-low 23.9 percent shooting en route to a 57-51 win in Big South women's basketball action inside the Dedmon Center.

"I am really proud of our kids tonight," head coach Mike McGuire said. "This team has faced a lot of adversity this season, but they were willing to persevere and get better. I was proud of our defensive effort, especially in the second half. We were able to force Longwood into long-range shots. I just can't say enough about how proud I am for our kids. They deserved this win."

Despite foul trouble that forced her to the bench early in the second half, Ayana Avery led the Highlanders (3-15, 1-8 Big South) with a game-high 20 points, including 16 in the opening stanza. She dialed up four 3-pointers to set her season total at 51, which is tied for the seventh-best single-season mark in program history.

Joining Avery in double figures were Breshara Gordon, who finished with 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals, and Rachael Ross, who chipped in 10 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and three steals. Kiera McIvor collected a career-high 11 rebounds. Radford finished with a 49-46 rebounding advantage.

Heather Tobeck's 3-pointer with 15:29 to go pushed the Lancers (6-11, 3-5 Big South) in front, 40-38. However, that was the last bucket RU conceded for the next nine minutes. While the Highlanders' stingy defense was at work, Radford embarked on an 8-0 run to retake the lead (46-40) with 6:52 remaining.

Back-to-back buckets by Longwood brought the visitors within two, before Radford answered with six straight points to establish a 52-44 favor with 2:08 showing on the clock. The Lancers made one final charge at the end to cut their deficit to three (54-51), but Gordon connected on 3-of-4 free throws in the closing seconds to seal the victory.

Raven Williams led Longwood with 14 points, while Khalilah Ali supplied 12 points and 12 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.

RU is back in action Thursday, Jan. 23 at High Point. Tipoff with the Panthers is set for 7 p.m. at the Millis Center in High Point, N.C.

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