AVERY’S 3-POINT BARRAGE NOT ENOUGH FOR WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

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HIGH POINT, N.C. – Despite Ayana Avery's record-setting night, Radford was denied its second win in a row as High Point held on for the 73-62 Big South women's basketball win Thursday night at the Millis Center.

Avery was dialed in from long range, knocking down 8-of-11 from deep on her way to a career-high 26 points. The eight triples are a program single-game record. She fueled a 3-point barrage by the Highlanders, who ended the game connecting on 10-of-14 (71.4 percent) from downtown.

"When Ayana is in rhythm, she is fun to watch," commented head coach Mike McGuire. "Her teammates did a nice job creating space for her and getting her the ball. I have never seen a team shoot over 70 percent from the 3-point line. That is an incredible stat, and no doubt was a big factor in us keeping it close."

High Point (11-8, 7-3 Big South) attempted to put the game out of reach in the beginning stages of the second half as the Panthers widened the gap to as many as 19 (44-25) with 16:54 to go. Behind its defense and a 7-for-7 clip from 3-point land by Avery, Radford (3-16, 1-9 Big South) did not go away without a fight. The Highlanders were able to get as close as eight (67-59) with 2:21 showing on the clock, but time ran out for RU to complete the comeback.

Following Avery's lead in the scoring column was Breshara Gordon with 12 points. The senior guard also dished out six assists. Rachael Ross posted nine points and a team-best seven rebounds. For the game, Radford shot 40.4 percent (23-57) from the floor.

DeAnneisha Jackson dropped in a season-high 15 points and nine rebounds for the Panthers. Lindsay Puckett matched her teammate in scoring with 15 points, which included three 3-pointers. Three-time Big South freshman of the week Kaylah Keys dialed up 12 points and a game-high 11 assists. Of High Point's 29 made field goals, 21 were assisted on. HPU finished at 40.8 percent shooting.

High Point opened the game clicking on all cylinders en route to an 8-0 lead. However, the Highlanders settled in and eventually tied the score at 19 off an Avery 3-pointer from the left wing at the 9:51 mark. HPU countered with a 17-4 run, which spanned the remainder of the opening stanza to seize a 36-23 advantage at the break. The Panthers used their size to gather 13 offensive boards in the first half, which led to a 13-6 favor in second-chance points.

The Highlanders return to the Dedmon Center for Saturday's Big South tilt against Campbell as part of a doubleheader with the men's basketball team. Action gets underway at 2 p.m. as the men take on Coastal Carolina. The women's game is set for 5 p.m.

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