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Radford University Athletics

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51
Charleston Southern CSU 3-9, 0-4 BSC
53
Winner Radford RAD 5-8, 2-2 BSC
Charleston Southern CSU
3-9, 0-4 BSC
51
Final
53
Radford RAD
5-8, 2-2 BSC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Charleston Southern CSU 28 23 51
Radford RAD 28 25 53

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

CLUTCH 3-POINTER LIFTS HIGHLANDERS OVER CHARLESTON SOUTHERN, 53-51



RADFORD, Va. – Senior guard Ayana Avery hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining to propel Radford to a 53-51 Big South women's basketball victory over Charleston Southern Monday night inside the Dedmon Center.
 
"This was definitely a game we had to grind out and find a way to win," head coach Mike McGuire remarked. "I don't think either team was really in sync offensively, and the game never really had much flow to it. When you get into conference play, there are going to be games like this. This is a home win, a conference win. We will absolutely take this and move forward. It's a big week for us with the next two on the road."
 
The scoreboard reflected Coach McGuire's sentiments. Neither team managed to gain much separation throughout the 40 minutes. In fact, the largest lead was earned by the Highlanders (5-8, 2-2 Big South) when they used a 10-0 run midway through the first half to capture a 19-11 advantage. However, the Buccaneers responded to go into the locker room tied at 28.
 
In all, the score was tied on 11 occasions, with the final tie coming with 55 seconds remaining in the game. The final seconds of the contest were intense. Out of a timeout, Monique Maximilien recorded a steal for CSU (3-9, 0-4 Big South) and was on her way to putting the Bucs in front by two. However, Jordynn Gaymon ran her down in the frontcourt and swatted Maximilien's attempt into the stands.
 
The Bucs retained possession, and Alecia Hardy eventually earned a pair of free throws. She converted 1-of-2 for a 51-50 CSU lead.
 
Radford dribbled the ball across the timeline and called a timeout with 22 seconds remaining to set up a game-winning play. Although the play was designed for Aisha Foy, it was Avery who elevated and drilled the 3-pointer from the right wing.
 
"Ayana is very comfortable in taking the final shot," McGuire pointed out. "She always seems to want the ball in her hands in crucial situations. She has the ability to hit the big shot. She has deep range, and she is good enough off the dribble to make her hard to guard. Ayana has a knack for this kind of moment and she delivered."
 
This is not the first time this season Avery has delivered the dagger. She also drained a game-winning 3-pointer against Wofford on Dec. 15, 2014.
 
"I have to give credit to my teammates in having faith in me to take the shot," Avery expressed. "Coach McGuire drew up a play for Aisha, but it broke down. The ball eventually got around to me, and I was able to knock it down."
 
When asked where this game-winning shot ranks among her other game-winning shots, the 5-foot-5 Cleveland, N.C., native grinned and replied, "It's pretty high on the list. Any time a shot like that leads to a team victory it means a lot more. I am just happy for the team. We needed this win as we get ready to go on the road for our next two games."
 
The win allowed the Highlanders to climb to .500 in league play and into a tie with UNC Asheville for fifth place in the Big South standings.
 
Janayla White returned to the starting lineup and contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals to lead the way for RU. Avery finished with eight points, but none were bigger than her final three. Nine of the 10 Highlanders who played found their way into the scoring column. Radford shot 39.2 percent for the game and held a slight 37-35 rebounding advantage over CSU.
 
Natasha Lebedeva tallied a game-high 15 points, while Alyssa Mann charted 11 points and six assists for the Bucs, who shot 33.3 percent from the floor (40 percent from 3-point land).
 
The Highlanders hit the road to close the week, traveling to Presbyterian (Thursday at 5 p.m.) and Longwood (Saturday at 2 p.m.) for a pair of conference collisions.

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