Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Worthy-20141120-1
RUHighlanderPhotos.com
81
Winner William & Mary WM 5-2
71
Radford RAD 2-4
Winner
William & Mary WM
5-2
81
Final
71
Radford RAD
2-4
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
William & Mary WM 38 43 81
Radford RAD 39 32 71

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

SECOND-HALF SURGE LIFTS WILLIAM & MARY OVER RADFORD, 81-71



RADFORD, Va. – On the strength of an 18-4 run midway through the second half, William & Mary was able to erase a 10-point deficit and steal an 81-71 nonconference women's basketball win from Radford Tuesday night inside the Dedmon Center.
 
Despite the loss, the Highlanders (2-4) shot a season-high 50 percent from the floor, including 58.3 percent in the opening 20 minutes. Although RU scorched the nets in the first half, the hosts only led 39-38 at the break. Eleven turnovers were costly in the Highlanders' effort to extend their lead.
 
However, Radford was able to mount a charge at the beginning of the second stanza. Leading by two (42-40), the Highlanders embarked on a 13-5 run which gave them their largest lead (55-45) with 12:46 remaining in the game. Unfortunately for RU, this is where the Tribe (5-2) made its move that propelled the team to its third straight victory.
 
"I thought we played well in the first half," head coach Mike McGuire recalled. "We came out strong early in the second half. It felt like we were in control of the ball game. We were up by 10, and I almost feel like we got a little too comfortable. We knew [William & Mary] was going to respond. This is a game we have to learn from, have to stay together and get a little tougher. I thought offensively, we played well enough to win, but defensively, we have got to be better in certain areas. We will grow from this and keep building."
 
Facing a daunting press from the visitors, the Highlanders struggled to keep care of the ball. W&M was able to convert Radford's 20 miscues into 26 points. In addition, the Tribe connected on 25-of-33 attempts from the free throw line.
 
"We knew we had to be disciplined against their press," McGuire pointed out. "We knew we would see the press the majority of the game, if not all the game. They had 26 points off our turnovers and 25 points at the line. We can't give a good team like William & Mary 51 points. That's a lot to have to overcome."
 
Despite the turnovers, Radford had a lot to take from this contest. For the second straight game, a pair of freshmen reached double-figure scoring, led by Jayda Worthy's season-high 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Her effort drew high praise from Coach McGuire.
 
"Jayda is solid. She is going to be an excellent player for our program. I feel like Jayda is our glue-type player. She is a steady force. We wanted her on the floor tonight because she was good behind the press. She has good vision, she's a good passer and she's very unselfish. I am very proud of Jayda. I even thought she was more assertive on offense as the game progressed. That's good to see for a freshman only six games in."
 
Making her second consecutive start, Janayla White contributed her second straight double-double (third on the season), behind 10 points and 11 rebounds. She also tallied a season-high three blocks. Ayana Avery drained three triples on her way to 11 points. The senior guard is only five more 3-pointers away from breaking the career record for long balls.
 
In addition to outshooting William & Mary (50-42.9 percent), RU also outrebounded the Tribe (36-34).
 
Marlena Tremba dialed up a game-high 24 points, with nine of those coming at the charity stripe for W&M. The sophomore guard also dished out six assists. Jazmen Boone (16), Jenna Green (11) and Abby Rendle (10) joined Tremba in double-digit scoring.
 
Radford will look to rebound with a win Saturday when preseason conference favorite Liberty invades the Dedmon Center for a 2 p.m. showdown.

9801
Print Friendly Version