LATE FIRST-HALF RUN LIFTS GARDNER-WEBB OVER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL, 71-57

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BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Despite Radford's strong start, a late surge in the first half by Gardner-Webb proved to be the difference as the Runnin' Bulldogs prevailed, 71-57, in Big South women's basketball action Thursday night at Paul Porter Arena.

"I think we came out focused and ready to play," head coach Mike McGuire said about his team's opening to the game. "Then we kind of relaxed around the midway point of the first half. We gave them too many second chances and trips to the free-throw line during that stretch."

Fueled by a 14-2 run that spanned the final six minutes of the opening stanza, Gardner-Webb (8-5, 3-1 Big South) established a 35-25 lead at the break. Ayana Avery hit four of her first five shots from the floor, including three 3-pointers, to spark the Highlanders (2-12, 0-5 Big South) to a 19-14 favor midway through the first half.

Following a Kermisha Clark layup off an inbounds pass at the 6:33 mark, the Runnin' Bulldogs held RU to two points the rest of the way in building their 10-point advantage at intermission.

Despite Gardner-Webb stretching its lead to as many as 19 in the second stanza, the Highlanders battled back. Down 62-43, Clark dropped in four points and Avery drilled her fourth triple of the game to pull RU within 12 at the 5:28 mark. However, the Runnin' Bulldogs were able to withstand the rally and capture their third conference victory of the season.

Avery finished 6-of-13 from the floor on her way to a game-high 18 points for Radford. The junior sharpshooter increased her season total for 3-pointers to 39, which are the most in the Big South. Right behind and scoring in double figures for the second straight game was Clark, who dropped in 10 points on 5-of-13 shooting.

Jessica Heilig tallied a team-best 17 points, including 12 in the pivotal first half, for Gardner-Webb. Catrina Green, who entered the game third in the Big South for scoring at 16 points per contest, was limited to nine points on 1-of-7 shooting. She led the league with her 67.5 percent accuracy before tonight. The senior center did pull down a game-high 14 rebounds.

The Runnin' Bulldogs, who led the Big South in rebounding with their 46.7 average, won the battle of the boards (48-35). Gardner-Webb capitalized on its rebounding edge by outscoring the Highlanders, 18-6, in second-chance points.

For the seventh time this season, Radford shot a higher percentage from the hardwood than its opponent. The Highlanders knocked down 38.3 percent of their attempts, while the hosts finished at 35.9 percent.

Radford heads further south for its next contest as the Highlanders battle Presbyterian College Saturday at 2 p.m. inside the Templeton Center.

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