RADFORD OPENS HOME DOUBLEHEADER WITH NORFOLK STATE

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RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's basketball team's home opener is scheduled for Thursday against Norfolk State. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. inside the Dedmon Center. Upon completion of the women's game, the Radford men clash with Howard as part of a doubleheader to open the home schedule for both Highlander squads.

WE MEET AGAIN
For the fourth-straight season, RU and Norfolk State will meet on the hardwood. Thursday's encounter is the 13th all-time meeting between the two Virginia programs. The Spartans snapped Radford's three-game winning streak in the series last season in Norfolk with a 66-54 victory. RU still owns an 8-4 edge in the series.

SCOUTING NORFOLK STATE
The Spartans are 0-2 on the season after opening with losses at home against Morehead State (83-66) Friday night and at Virginia Tech (60-49) Tuesday night.

NSU was picked to finish eighth in the MEAC preseason poll of conference coaches and sports information directors. Senior guard Rae Corbo, who led the team in scoring (12.9 ppg), assists per game (3.1), steals per game (1.1) and free throw percentage (85.2) last season, was voted to the preseason All-MEAC third team.

Corbo has led the Spartans in each of their first two games, averaging 23.5 points per game. She tallied 11 of Norfolk State's first 13 points against the Hokies Tuesday night on her way to a season-high 24 points. NSU outscored Virginia Tech, 32-30, in the second half.

The Spartans are getting beat by an average of 14 points and outrebounded by an average of 11 boards through their opening two games. Opponents are averaging 8.5 3-pointers per game against Norfolk State. Although Radford only made one triple against Virginia, there seems to be opportunity to be effective from beyond the arc against NSU. Virginia Tech drilled 12 shots from downtown Tuesday night against the Spartans. Both RU (70.0 percent) and Norfolk State (73.7) shoot well from the free throw line.

A WIN WOULD…
- Give the Highlanders their first win of the season.
- Give Mike McGuire his first win as a head coach over a Division I opponent in nonconference play.
- Allow Radford to win its fifth-straight home opener. The Highlanders defeated Emory & Henry, Bluefield, Eastern Mennonite and Ferrum in their previous four home openers.

WHITE HOT
Janayla White entered the Virginia game at the 17:13 mark of the first half and wrecked havoc on the Cavaliers from the onset. The freshman knocked down 4-of-9 from the floor on her way to a game-high-tying 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. White was effective at the charity stripe where she was 6-for-7 (85.7 percent). The Virginia Beach, Va., native also blocked two shots.

White's performance earned her Big South Freshman of the Week for games played over the opening weekend of the regular season.

POST PRODUCTION
Of Radford's 47 points against Virginia, 37 points or 78.7 percent of the Highlanders' scoring came from post players. The inside tandem of Janayla White, Jayda Worthy, Rachael Ross and Jordynn Gaymon also combined for 30 of Radford's 43 rebounds.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN
RU's 2014-15 roster features 12 players representing five states and two countries. There are three players each from Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio. Tennessee and Illinois has one player apiece, while Claudia Quevedo represents Spain on the international scale. Radford has three seniors, two juniors, one redshirt sophomore and six freshmen. The Highlanders boast five players over six feet, compared to just three last season.

AVERY ON BRINK OF HISTORY
With 16 more 3-pointers, senior guard Ayana Avery will break the Radford record for 3-pointers made in a career. She currently has 188 in her three seasons as a Highlander. Kylie Williamson (1999-04) holds the top spot with 203. Avery already set the single-season mark with 95 made 3-pointers in 2013-14.

The 5-foot-5 sharpshooter is also inching closer to the 1,000-point club. Avery has 873 career points entering her senior campaign. She would become the 21st member of the group.

UP NEXT
Radford continues its two-game homestand Saturday at 2 p.m. against Youngstown State. Of Radford's first 10 games, seven will be inside the Dedmon Center. That is a drastic difference from last season where RU was on the road for seven of its first 10 games.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Ayana Avery: G; 5' 5"; Senior

#24 Jordynn Gaymon: F; 6' 1"; Senior

#13 Rachael Ross: C; 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore

#21 Janayla White: F; 6' 2"; Freshman

#22 Jayda Worthy: F; 6' 0"; Freshman

#11 Claudia Quevedo: G; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#5 Ayana Avery
: 5' 5"; Senior
: G

#24 Jordynn Gaymon
: 6' 1"; Senior
: F

#13 Rachael Ross
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore
: C

#21 Janayla White
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: F

#22 Jayda Worthy
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: F

#11 Claudia Quevedo
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: G