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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Foy-20141120-2
RUHighlanderPhotos.com
68
Presbyterian College PC 12-12, 7-8 BSC
75
Winner Radford RAD 13-10, 10-4 BSC
Presbyterian College PC
12-12, 7-8 BSC
68
Final
75
Radford RAD
13-10, 10-4 BSC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Presbyterian College PC 30 38 68
Radford RAD 33 42 75

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

OFFENSE SHINES IN 75-68 TRIUMPH OVER PRESBYTERIAN



RADFORD, Va. – Led by Aisha Foy's 23-point performance, the Radford women's basketball team came away victorious over Presbyterian College, 75-68, in a pivotal Big South matchup Saturday inside the Dedmon Center.
 
In addition to Foy, who eclipsed the 20-point mark for the second time this season, the Highlanders (13-10, 10-4 Big South) received double-digit scoring contributions from Ayana Avery (13) and Janayla White (12).
 
"This was a great win for us, especially with short preparation after being at Coastal Carolina Thursday night," head coach Mike McGuire said. "We knew this was going to be a challenging week with three games in six days. I am really proud of the way our team responded, and the way we continue to find ways to win."
 
On paper, fans in attendance would have expected a low-scoring affair between two of the Big South's top defensive teams. The Blue Hose (12-12, 7-8 Big South) entered the game as the nation's No. 2-ranked defense, holding opponents to 50.6 points per game.
 
However, the Highlanders shot 43.5 percent (20-46) from the floor, including a scorching 57.9 percent (11-19) in the second stanza, on their way to scoring over 24 points above Presbyterian's season average. Furthermore, Radford's 75 points were the most a PC opponent had scored in regulation all season.
 
"I wanted our team to have a more free-flowing mindset against their zone," McGuire pointed out. "PC can really guard you and take you out of your offensive sets. I wanted us to play a little more together. There were certain concepts we wanted to look at against their zone. Our team executed those concepts very well today."
 
This game was far from the defensive tussle these two teams had Jan. 8 in Clinton, S.C. In that game, which RU won 43-35, neither team shot above 33 percent. In fact, the Blue Hose shot a season-low 21.1 percent in the defeat.
 
However, PC's offense was clicking on all cylinders, Saturday. The Blue Hose connected on 47.8 percent (22-46) of its attempts.
 
"I thought today's game was well played by both teams," McGuire expressed. "Presbyterian is very good defensively—they constantly execute. They have really improved, offensively. I thought this was a fun game to watch. Both teams were executing and putting pressure on each other. Presbyterian deserves a lot of credit for how well they played. They were really good today. It's hard to see either team lose this one."
 
For the second game in a row, the Highlanders forced their opponent into more turnovers than they committed. PC was credited with 18 turnovers, while Radford tied a season low with its nine miscues.
 
After RU seized a 33-30 advantage at halftime, the Highlanders knocked down six of their first eight shots out of intermission to stretch their lead to 48-38 with 14:19 remaining in the contest. The Blue Hose got no closer than four points the rest of the way.
 
"In the second half, we came out of the locker room with great intensity and purpose," McGuire recalled. "That stretch where we were able to build a 10-point lead was critical to us being able to win this game."
 
With the victory, Radford earned its 10th Big South win of the season—marking the first time since the 2010-11 season the Highlanders have reached double-figure conference wins. In addition, RU maintains its No. 3 position in the conference standings with six regular-season games to go.
 
"I am very proud of this team, especially with how we responded following a difficult nonconference schedule," McGuire offered. "Our team has progressed immensely since nonconference play. Our young ladies are determined to get better. It is easy for a team to not have that mindset. We've won 10 out of 12 since Christmas to put us in this position, and this is a position I am excited for our program to be in."
 
Presbyterian was led in scoring by Cortney Storey, who dialed up 18 points, and Aianna Kelly, who chalked up 10. Due to the Blue Hose's hot shooting, Radford pulled down a season-low 24 rebounds. PC won the rebounding battle, 30-24.
 
Both teams shot well from the free-throw line. The Highlanders converted a season-high 79.4 percent (27-34) of their attempts, while Presbyterian shot 89.5 percent (17-19).
           
Radford remains at home for Tuesday's 7 p.m. in-state clash with Longwood. RU downed the Lancers, 78-60, in the season's first meeting.

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