AVERY BREAKS SINGLE-SEASON RECORD IN 63-62 WIN OVER COASTAL CAROLINA

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CONWAY, S.C. – Ayana Avery established the single-season record for 3-pointers made, in addition to dialing up the go-ahead triple with 32 seconds left to lift Radford to the 63-62 Big South women's basketball victory over Coastal Carolina Thursday night at The HTC Center.

For the third straight game in the series, the outcome was decided by one point. However, the Highlanders (4-17, 2-10 Big South) were able to write a different ending than the other two contests behind their quickness, free throw shooting and defense.

With her team trailing 60-58, Kayla Cook completed a 3-point play with 1:11 remaining in the game to propel Coastal (10-11, 6-6 Big South) into the driver's seat. The hosts got a defensive stop on the other end, which led to Jena Hamrick tacking on a free throw to boost the margin to 62-60 with 49 seconds showing on the clock.

Following an RU timeout, Hamrick missed her second attempt at the stripe to set up Avery's late-game heroics. Once the shot caromed off the rim, Avery pounced on the rebound and handed it to backcourt mate Breshara Gordon. Needing a bucket to tie, Gordon quickly sprinted across the timeline. She eventually worked the ball over to Avery, who came off a screen and buried the game-winner from the left wing over the outstretched arm of a Chanticleer.

"What a battle," head coach Mike McGuire expressed. "Our team has been working hard for this. The composure and leadership I saw emerge in tight situations out there is very encouraging. We took another step in the right direction tonight. It was a complete team effort. Our girls fought and competed for one another, and when that happens, we can achieve results like this."

In a game where neither team led by more than six, Radford put together perhaps its most complete game of the season. RU shot 41.1 percent from the hardwood, while holding the Chanticleers to 34.4 percent.

Physicality was not lacking in the contest as 41 fouls were called between the two sides. Subsequently, the Highlanders visited the charity stripe 18 times, while converting 13 (72.2 percent) of those chances. On the other hand, Coastal only connected on 13-of-22 (59.1 percent) from the line.

Avery led four Highlanders in double-figure scoring with 19. The Cleveland, N.C. native knocked down 7-of-11 from the floor, including all four of her attempts from long range. Her 70 3-pointers not only lead the Big South, but also surpassed Patrinda Toney's single-season record of 67, which had stood as the program's benchmark since the 1988-89 season.

Gordon dropped in 14 points, which included a 4-for-4 performance at the line. Kiera McIvor and Aisha Foy chipped in 10 points apiece.

Coastal suffered its sixth loss in its past eight outings despite a career-best 27 points from AJ Jordan. The junior guard was 12-for-24 from the hardwood and collected a game-high 11 rebounds. The Chants claimed a 41-40 favor on the glass.

Four ties and 10 lead changes highlighted the first half as both teams struggled to pull away. Avery led the Highlanders with 11 points in the opening 20 minutes, including a deep ball at the 4:31 mark, which broke the single-season record. Despite Radford outshooting the Chants, 40 percent to 33.3 percent, Coastal went into break with the 32-31 edge.

Radford continues its two-game road swing through South Carolina with a stop in Charleston for Saturday's 2 p.m. contest against Charleston Southern. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.

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