BATTLE OF FIRST-PLACE TEAMS SET FOR SATURDAY IN BOILING SPRINGS

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RADFORD, Va. – Currently in a five-way tie for first place in the Big South women's basketball standings, Radford takes its five-game winning streak to Boiling Springs, N.C. where it will face Gardner-Webb in Saturday's conference clash inside Paul Porter Arena.

Ironically, the Runnin' Bulldogs (12-6, 6-2) are one of the teams tied with RU for first place in the league. Liberty, Presbyterian and UNC Asheville round out the quintet that has a 6-2 conference ledger. GWU is also tied with the Highlanders (10-7, 6-2) for the longest winning streak in the Big South at five in a row.

SETTING THE STAGE
- Series: Radford leads, 10-8
- Location: Paul Porter Arena (Boiling Springs, N.C.)
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Live Stats
- Live Video
- Game Notes (Radford | Gardner-Webb)
- Game Day Central

LAST MEETING
Behind a barrage of 3-pointers, which included 18 straight points during one stretch in the first half, seventh-seeded Gardner-Webb was able to upset second-seeded Radford in the quarterfinals of the 2015 VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Women's Basketball Championship.

Once ahead by 22 points, the Runnin' Bulldogs had to hold off a furious RU rally by sealing the game at the free-throw line. GWU hit its first six attempts from long range en route to a 33-19 halftime advantage. In all, the Runnin' Bulldogs earned 50 of their 70 points from beyond the arc and at the charity stripe.

Senior forward Jessica Heilig led three players in double figures for the victors with 18 points. Candace Brown chalked up 14, while Olivia Parker contributed a double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds). Aisha Foy spearheaded the Highlanders' offense with 13 points.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS
One of the hottest teams in the Big South, Radford is off to its best start in conference play since the 2010-11 season when the Highlanders opened with a 7-1 record.

During RU's recent surge, senior guard Gaby Gilmore has been sensational. The Morristown, Tenn., native has scored in double figures in each of the Highlanders' last five games. She has topped the 20-point plateau in her last two games, which has propelled Gilmore to average double-figure scoring (10.4) for the first time in her career.

Despite its 2-6 record on the road, Radford has won its last two contests away from the Dedmon Center. On the flip side, Gardner-Webb is 8-2 at home, including a 3-1 mark in league play.

Foy leads the Highlanders in the scoring column, averaging 13.7 points per game, which rank sixth among Big South players. The Virginia Beach, Va., native is heating up from 3-point land. Her 38.9 percent accuracy from 3-point range is tops in the conference.

Janayla White joins Foy in double-figure scoring at 11.3 points per game. Despite missing the last two games, White has recorded two straight double-doubles to bring her season total to four, which tie for third-most in the league. She reeled in a career-high 18 rebounds against Campbell, marking her second straight game of pulling down at least 15 rebounds. Her 9.1 rebounds per game are the second-most by any Big South player.

Radford continues to be a force on the glass, ranking first in rebounds per game (42.8) and rebounding margin (+9.5). The Highlanders have only been outrebounded twice (NC State and Virginia Tech). They have tallied a double-figure rebounding margin in seven games this season, including the previous four contests.

SCOUTING GARDNER-WEBB
Like Radford, the Runnin' Bulldogs have been on a tear as of late. Since suffering its lone setback at home in conference play to Coastal Carolina, Gardner-Webb has reeled off five straight victories—three by double digits. Its 25-point triumph over Longwood marked the second time GWU has won by at least 25 points during its win streak.

The quartet of Olivia Parker, Candace Brown, Alexus Hill and Tierra Huntsman account for 78 percent of the Runnin' Bulldogs' scoring. All four average double figures, led by Parker's 14.4 points per game. The senior forward from Charlotte, N.C. also leads Gardner-Webb in the rebounding department with 9.2 boards per game, which lead the Big South.

Brown is the reigning Big South Player of the Week after leading the Runnin' Bulldogs last Saturday to a 58-56 win at UNC Asheville, who entered the game in sole possession of first place in the conference standings.

Huntsman is Gardner-Webb's top threat from downtown, connecting on 35 percent of her attempts from 3-point range. Her 28 3-pointers made are nearly triple the number of the next closest for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

Even though the Highlanders are the top rebounding team in the league, they will have to make sure they limit Gardner-Webb's second-chance opportunities. The Runnin' Bulldogs rank second in the league in offensive rebounds per game (15.7).

UP NEXT
Radford will seek revenge for its first Big South loss of the season when High Point visits the Dedmon Center for Tuesday's 7 p.m. tipoff. The Panthers dealt RU a 71-66 setback on Dec. 5 inside the Millis Center in High Point, N.C.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Aisha Foy: G; 5' 6"; Senior

#14 Gaby Gilmore: G; 5' 7"; Senior

#21 Janayla White: F; 6' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#3 Aisha Foy
: 5' 6"; Senior
: G

#14 Gaby Gilmore
: 5' 7"; Senior
: G

#21 Janayla White
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: F

Players Mentioned

#3 Aisha Foy

#14 Gaby Gilmore

#21 Janayla White

Players Mentioned

#3 Aisha Foy

#14 Gaby Gilmore

#21 Janayla White