GAYMON’S DOUBLE-DOUBLE POWERS HIGHLANDERS PAST COASTAL, 52-43

Thursday, February 5

Conway, S.C.

7:00 PM

Radford University

12-10 (9-4BSC)

Coastal Carolina

10-12 (4-9BSC)

Team	1	2	F
Radford	22	30	52
Coastal Carolina	12	31	43

Photo by: RUHighlanderPhotos.com

GAYMON’S DOUBLE-DOUBLE POWERS HIGHLANDERS PAST COASTAL, 52-43

2/5/2015 10:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Follow @Radford_WBB

CONWAY, S.C. – Jordynn Gaymon notched her third double-double of the season behind 14 points and 11 rebounds to push Radford past Coastal Carolina, 52-43, in Big South women's basketball action Thursday night inside The HTC Center.

On a night when scoring leader Ayana Avery was held scoreless for the first time this season, RU (12-10, 9-4 Big South) received major contributions from its supporting cast. In addition to Gaymon's effort, Aisha Foy dialed up 12 points, while Jayda Worthy chipped in nine points and 14 rebounds.

"That's what I like about this team," head coach Mike McGuire pointed out about the Highlanders' offensive balance. "This has happened throughout the year, and it's great for us to be able to have other contributors step up when Ayana doesn't have her normal game. We have players who step up at the right time. That's what a good, close team does."

Another area Radford had excelled at prior to Monday's loss at Liberty was defense. RU returned to form Thursday night, holding the Chanticleers (10-12, 4-9 Big South) to 31 percent shooting. Coastal, which entered the game as the Big South leader in points per game (72.5), was held nearly 30 points below its season average.

"I think this team has bought in to our defense," McGuire expressed. "Our defense was solid, it was consistent. Most of Coastal's shots were contested. We have to continue to do that. Moving forward, our defense and our rebounding are going to be our bread and butter."

Led by Worthy and Gaymon on the glass, the Highlanders outrebounded CCU, 38-37. Coastal came into the game averaging a league-best 44.7 rebounds per contest.

"We found a way to win on the road against a very talented offensive basketball team tonight," McGuire commented. "I know we didn't seem to get in a flow offensively, but we made enough plays down the stretch to pull this one out. This was a hard-fought win, and I am pleased with the way we responded after Monday's performance at Liberty."

However, like Monday, Radford struggled on the offensive end. The Highlanders only hit 31.6 percent (18-57) of their attempts from the floor. In addition, RU only converted 56 percent (14-25) of its free-throw opportunities.

"We don't seem comfortable on offense," McGuire offered. "I think we are too focused on what our opponent is doing and how they want to guards us, instead of us playing together and establish more of an offensive flow."

Finding an offensive flow won't get any easier for Radford on Saturday when the Highlanders return to the Dedmon Center for their 2 p.m. Big South clash with Presbyterian College. The Blue Hose ranks second in the nation in scoring defense at 50.6 points per game.

AJ Jordan and Anna Vogt delivered 16 and 15 points, respectively, for the Chants, who lost their fourth straight game.

For just the second time this season, Radford forced its opponent into more turnovers than it committed. The Highlanders finished with 14 miscues, while Coastal turned the ball over 23 times. Jordan accounted for nine of those turnovers.

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