RADFORD BEGINS QUEST FOR BIG SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY

Follow @Radford_WBB

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Radford begins its quest for the program's 10^th conference tournament championship Friday when the third-seeded Highlanders meet No. 6 seed High Point or No. 11 seed Winthrop in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Big South Women's Basketball Championship hosted by UNC Asheville. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. from Kimmel Arena in Asheville, N.C.

SETTING THE STAGE
- High Point Series: High Point leads, 26-16
- Winthrop Series: Radford leads, 56-16
- Location: Kimmel Arena (Asheville, N.C.)
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Live Stats
- ESPN3
- Live Audio
- Game Notes
- Game Day Central

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS
Winners of four in a row, Radford (17-12) carries the Big South's longest winning streak into the conference tournament. The Highlanders enter as the No. 3 seed for the sixth time in program history. They have posted a 7-3 record when slotted third. In addition, two of Radford's last three Big South tournament championships have come as the No. 3 seed.

Mike McGuire, who is in his third season as head coach, will be aiming to guide Radford to its first postseason win during his tenure. Under his leadership, the Highlanders have posted back-to-back 17-win campaigns.

With a victory Friday, RU would have the most wins (18) in a single season since 2007-08 when the Highlanders went 23-12. That season was also the last time Radford advanced to the tournament title game.

Defense has been the staple of the Highlanders' success. Entering the conference tournament, RU ranks sixth nationally in field-goal percentage defense (.335) and 16^th in scoring defense (53.2).

Opponents have failed to score more than 40 points against Radford over the Highlanders' past three games. In the regular-season finale at Campbell, RU held the Camels to 32 points—the lowest by a Radford opponent this season.

Janayla White, an All-Big South first team member, is the only player in the conference averaging a double-double. She leads the league in field-goal percentage (.577) and rebounding (10.0).

In addition to White, Lydia Rivers is a major factor in the Highlanders' rebounding. The post tandem ranks first and fifth, respectively, among Big South players in rebounding. Radford is the only team to have two of its players in the top five of the league. Rivers, who ranks second among Big South freshmen in rebounding, was named to the Big South all-freshman team on Tuesday.

White, who recorded the 100^th block of her career earlier this season, is on her way to another career milestone. The Virginia Beach, Va., native is 10 rebounds from becoming the 19^th member of the 500-rebound club. White would be one of just five players in program history to have 100 career blocks and 500 career rebounds.

TOURNEY TIME
RU is seeking to advance to the semifinals for the second time in four seasons. Radford is 13-10 all-time in quarterfinal games. However, the Highlanders have never beaten High Point in the conference tournament (0-2). The two sides last met in 2012, an 85-70 semifinal win by HPU.

If Winthrop upsets the sixth-seeded Panthers, it would be the 11^th all-time meeting between RU and the Eagles at the conference tournament. Radford has a 7-3 edge in those meetings.

This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the Highlanders' last Big South tournament title (1996). They have reached the championship game twice since then (2007 and 2008). Ironically, both games were in Asheville, N.C.

Kimmel Arena is playing host to the Big South Women's Basketball Championship for the first time. When the Highlanders made it all the way to the final in 2007 and 2008, those games were played at UNC Asheville's Justice Center.

TOURNAMENT RESUME
- As the No. 3 seed: 7-3
- Record in quarterfinals: 13-10
- Record in semifinals: 12-6
- Record in championship game: 9-3
- Record in tournament opener: 18-11
- Record as higher seed: 24-9
- Record as lower seed: 11-11
- Record in Asheville: 7-5
- Championships won (last): 9 (1996)
- Championships won in Asheville (last): 1 (1990)

UP NEXT
The winner of Friday's last quarterfinal will advance to Saturday's semifinals where it will await the winner between No. 2 seed Liberty and the first-round winner of Longwood/Charleston Southern. Tipoff of the second semifinal is slated for 4 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN3.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

#20 Lydia Rivers: F; 6' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

#20 Lydia Rivers
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: F

Players Mentioned

#21 Janayla White

#20 Lydia Rivers

Players Mentioned

#21 Janayla White

#20 Lydia Rivers