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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Senior Night-20150224-1
Richard Shumaker
47
UNC Asheville UNCAVL 7-21, 6-13 BSC
50
Winner Radford RAD 17-11, 14-5 BSC
UNC Asheville UNCAVL
7-21, 6-13 BSC
47
Final
50
Radford RAD
17-11, 14-5 BSC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UNC Asheville UNCAVL 23 24 47
Radford RAD 16 34 50

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

SENIORS STEER HIGHLANDERS TO 50-47 WIN OVER UNC ASHEVILLE



RADFORD, Va. – Prior to Tuesday night's tipoff between Radford and UNC Asheville, the Highlanders' senior class was lauded for its resiliency, passion and determination. It was only fitting those three characteristics led RU to a 50-47 come-from-behind win over the Bulldogs in Big South women's basketball action inside the Dedmon Center.
 
Despite not producing in the scoring column, the seniors used their leadership and experience to steer the Highlanders (17-11, 14-5 Big South) to just their second win of the season when trailing at halftime.
 
Although both teams struggled offensively in the first half, Asheville (7-21, 6-13 Big South) was able to mount a 14-0 run at the end of the frame to secure a 23-16 favor at the break. During this run, the Bulldogs held Radford scoreless for over seven minutes.
 
"Asheville deserves a lot of credit. They play with a tremendous amount of effort and intensity," head coach Mike McGuire expressed. "We knew this was not going to be an easy game. Asheville is well-coached and has been in a lot of close games. They are a team to look out for in the tournament."
 
The Bulldogs expanded their lead to as many as nine points before Jordynn Gaymon converted a pair of free throws to tie the game at 37 with 8:32 to go in regulation. Seconds later, Gaymon was at it again, this time converting a layup off a Gaby Gilmore dime to give RU the lead for good.
 
Freshman Janayla White's 11-point, eight-rebound and three-block performance highlighted the Highlanders' side of the box score. Behind White, Ayana Avery and Aisha Foy tallied nine and seven points, respectively. Foy and Kiera McIvor both dished out a game-high four assists. Each player who entered the game for RU scored.
 
Radford's 58.8 percent shooting in the second stanza helped the Highlanders overcome a dismal 26.9 percent effort in the opening 20 minutes. RU finished the game at 39.5 percent. In addition, the Highlanders were able to outrebound Asheville, 41-31.
 
With its 17th win, Radford recorded its most wins in a single season since 2007-08 when the Highlanders achieved 23 victories. RU also tallied its 10th home triumph of the season, marking the first time since 2007-08 the Highlanders reached double-digit wins at home.
 
"I credit a lot of our success to the seniors," McGuire pointed out. "This is going to be a senior class we will look back on three to five years down the road and say 'Hey, these are the ones who raised the bar and set higher expectations.' They have sacrificed so much to put Radford women's basketball back on the map."
 
Tianna Knuckles dialed up 11 points to lead all Bulldog scorers. Asheville finished at 32.1 percent shooting and only converted 8 of 14 free-throw attempts (57.1 percent).
 
Radford concludes the regular season at High Point, Saturday. Tipoff from the Millis Center is scheduled for 4 p.m. in High Point, N.C. With a win, the Highlanders would clinch the No. 2 seed in next week's Big South women's basketball tournament.
 
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