RADFORD AND VCU MEET FOR FIRST TIME IN SEVEN YEARS

GAME INFORMATION

SETTING THE STAGE

Radford (3-3) looks to get back on track after dropping a 39-27 decision to Western Carolina on Thursday as the Highlanders welcome Virginia Commonwealth (1-6) to the Dedmon Center on Sunday for a 2 p.m., tilt.
VCU picked up its first win on Wednesday after the Rams defeated in-state foe Old Dominion 68-39.
The Rams enter the contest with an 0-3 record on the road.
Radford puts its 18-game home winning streak on the line as the Highlanders look to close in on a program record of 25 straight home wins.
In non-conference games over the last three seasons, Radford holds a 15-8 record, while VCU is 19-15.

SERIES HISTORY

Radford and VCU meet for the 33^rd time in the all-time series, while playing one another for the first time since Dec. 23, 2010.
The all-time series is locked 16-16.
VCU has won the last nine meetings between the two Commonwealth foes with Radford's last win coming on Dec. 4, 1990 in an 85-83 overtime decision inside the Dedmon Center.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Over the last three seasons, Radford is 14-8 when coming off a loss.
In the loss at Western Carolina: Lydia Rivers paced Radford with five points, 12 rebounds, five steals and four blocks.
The five steals are a career high for the redshirt sophomore and the most by a Highlander this season.
Rivers is now averaging 7.3 rebounds per game and 2.2 blocks per game.
The Highlanders shot a season low 20.8 percent from the field, but the defense forced 21 turnovers and collected a season best 12 steals.
Radford's defense is limiting opposing teams to only 53.3 ppg, ranking 11^th nationally.
Moving their feet on defense, the Highlanders have only committed 77 fouls, which ranks second nationally, committing only 13.2 per game.
The Highlander defense is forcing 17.5 turnovers per game, while averaging 12.5 ppg off opponent miscues.
In addition, Radford ranks inside the Top 10 nationally in fewest turnovers with 91 committed, averaging 15.2 per contest.
Sophomore Khiana Johnson is the lone Highlander averaging double-figures with 11.2 points per game. Johnson has tallied double-digits in all but two games.
Shooting 43.1 percent from the floor, senior Janayla White is averaging 9.3 ppg and 8.7 rpg.

SCOUTING VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH

In the first seven games of the season, VCU has been outscored by a -11.4 scoring margin, averaging 60.1 ppg with opponents scoring 71.6 per contest.
The Rams crash the boards, holding a 38.9 to 36.6 edge over opponents.
VCU dropped its first six games of the season, before defeating Old Dominion. The closet game was a five-point loss at Georgia State on Nov. 24.
Freshman Tera Reed paces the team with 15.4 ppg and 48.8 field goal percentage.
Reed is averaging 7.4 rpg and holds an 80.0 shooting clip from the free throw line.
Sophomore Jailyn Maddox follows with 11.6 ppg and 75.0 free throw percentage.
Pulling down 21 of her 55 rebounds on the offensive glass, Bria Gibson leads the squad with 7.9 per game.
VCU has recorded 73 assists on the season as Nyra Williams has dished 30 assists, chipping in with 4.3 per game.
The Rams are only eight deep with all playing in all seven games.
VCU has been outscored 235 to 188 in the first half.

UP NEXT

After taking a week off for exams, Radford returns to action on Dec. 16 with a border bash against West Virginia for only the second meeting between the two foes.
The first meeting came on Dec. 2, 2009 in Morgantown as the Mountaineers rolled for a 64-28 victory.
Radford and West Virginia will meet in Charleston, W. Va., for a neutral site battle inside the Charleston Civic Center as the Highlanders next three games will come on neutral floors.

Players Mentioned