WOMEN’S HOOPS WELCOMES BIG SOUTH CO-LEADER UNC ASHEVILLE SATURDAY

Follow @Radford_WBB

RADFORD, Va. – Looking to end its two-game skid in Big South play, the Radford women's basketball team hosts conference co-leader UNC Asheville Saturday inside the Dedmon Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will coincide with the Highlanders' annual Alumnae Day.

Radford will honor all previous women's basketball players in attendance, and the alumnae game will immediately follow the conclusion of the RU / UNC Asheville game.

SETTING THE STAGE
- Series: Radford leads, 48-19
- Location: Dedmon Center (Radford, Va.)
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Live Stats
- Live Video
- Live Audio
- Game Notes (Radford | UNC Asheville)
- Game Day Central

LAST MEETING
Radford registered a come-from-behind 50-47 win over UNC Asheville on the Highlanders' Senior Night last season inside the Dedmon Center. RU erased a nine-point, second-half deficit behind Janayla White's 11 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

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.

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).

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS
Radford (10-9, 6-4 Big South) fell two games out of first place in the Big South standings after Tuesday's 56-54 setback to High Point. The Panthers' Kat Harris drove the lane and converted the game-winner with 0.5 of a second left in regulation.

It was RU's second loss in a row and third straight game the Highlanders failed to score more than 55 points. Despite the offensive woes, Radford has continued its defensive prowess. Over the past three games, RU opponents have averaged only 50 points per game and 32.2 percent shooting.

Aisha Foy leads the Highlanders in the scoring column, averaging 13.3 points per game, which rank ninth among Big South players. The Virginia Beach, Va., native ranks fourth in the conference with her 37.6 percent accuracy from 3-point range.

Janayla White joins Foy in double-figure scoring at 11.9 points per game. White notched her fourth straight double-double against High Point, delivering 17 points and 10 rebounds. Her 9.8 rebounding average leads the Big South and is on pace to become the only player in the league to average a double-double.

White (.605) and Jayda Worthy (.520) rank first and second, respectively, in field-goal percentage among Big South players. White is coming off an 8 for 8 effort vs. High Point, while Worthy connected on 8 of 12 from the floor.

Radford continues to be a force on the glass, ranking first in rebounds per game (42.9) and rebounding margin (+9.9). The Highlanders have only been outrebounded twice (NC State and Virginia Tech). They have tallied a double-figure rebounding margin in eight games this season.

SCOUTING UNC ASHEVILLE
UNC Asheville (15-4, 8-2 Big South) is off to its best start under fourth-year head coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick. Of last season's 22 losses, 10 of those came by single digits, including six by three points or less.

However, the 2015-16 campaign seems to be the season where the Bulldogs are reversing that trend. They have already won seven games by single digits, while two of their four losses have been by single digits.

Tied for first place in the league standings, Asheville finds itself in great position to make a run at the Big South regular-season championship. The Bulldogs play six of their final eight games at home. In addition, they will host the conference tournament inside Kimmel Arena, March 10-13.

A large factor behind Asheville's success is its offense, which averages a conference-best 71.9 points per game. Eight Bulldogs average at least five points per game, led by the duo of Chatori Major and Tianna Knuckles (13.4 ppg). Major averages 17.1 points per game in conference-only contests.

Three-point shooting is a strength of the Bulldogs. They rank just ahead of Radford for first place with their 33.6 percent efficiency from downtown.

Asheville typically runs a guard-focused offense with four guards and one post player. Bronaza Fitzgerald has been the focal point for the Bulldogs on the interior as of late. The Danville, Va., native has reached double-figure scoring in two of her previous three games.

UP NEXT
The Highlanders hit the road for four of their next five contests beginning with Monday's trip to Coastal Carolina. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at The HTC Center in Conway, S.C. Radford defeated the Chanticleers, 61-45, on Dec. 29.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

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

#22 Jayda Worthy: F; 6' 0"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

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

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

#22 Jayda Worthy
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: F

Players Mentioned

#3 Aisha Foy

#21 Janayla White

#22 Jayda Worthy

Players Mentioned

#3 Aisha Foy

#21 Janayla White

#22 Jayda Worthy