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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Worthy-20180128
Radford Athletics Communications
56
Radford RAD 12-7, 5-3 BSC
61
Winner Liberty LIBERTY 12-8, 7-1 BSC
Radford RAD
12-7, 5-3 BSC
56
Final
61
Liberty LIBERTY
12-8, 7-1 BSC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Radford RAD 10 13 19 14 56
Liberty LIBERTY 16 20 10 15 61

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

RADFORD'S COMEBACK AT LIBERTY FALLS SHORT 61-56



GAME INFORMATION
  • Score: Liberty 61, Radford 56
  • Records: Flames (12-6, 7-1 Big South) | Highlanders (12-7, 5-3 Big South)
  • Location: Vines Center | Lynchburg, Va.
 
LYNCHBURG, Va. – On a day in which the Royal Rumble will take place, the motto holds true of it doesn't matter what number one enters at, it's how long one can last and Liberty held off a strong Radford second half comeback for a 61-56 Battle of Blue Ridge victory.
 
Trailing by as many as 13 in the first half, Radford stormed back in the second half, outscoring Liberty 33-25. The Highlanders made 13 of 30 attempts, forcing 12 turnovers.
 
Radford's comeback was sparked by a 15-2 run in the third quarter, highlighted by 13 straight points. Jayda Worthy added 11 of her game-high 16 points in the quarter as the senior provided the Highlander spark. Worthy was 4 for 6 in the quarter as Radford finished 8 for 12 as a team.
 
The Highlanders trailed 36-23 at intermission and after scoring 19 points in the third quarter, knotted the game at 42 with 2:05 remaining as Janayla White followed up a Liberty turnover with a layup. Liberty regained a 46-42 lead as Ashtyn Baker scored the final four points of the quarter.
 
Radford offense stalled in the final quarter after the hot shooting third quarter as the Highlander offense committed five turnovers late in the game. Unable to take advantage of Liberty's miscues was Radford as the Flames committed eight of their own in the quarter.
 
After watching the deficit grow to eight points in the fourth quarter, Radford received two big 3-pointers from Destinee Walker down the stretch. Trailing 58-53 with under 40 seconds left in regulation, Walker drained a long ball from the left wing off an inbounds play following two missed Liberty free throws.
 
The Highlander defense fouled quickly, sending Baker to the line. The freshman made 1 of 2, which gave Radford a chance to tie (59-56) with 30 seconds remaining. Radford received two good looks from deep by Worthy and Walker, but the ball did not fall as Liberty made two free throws to hold off the Radford comeback.
 
INSIDE THE BOX
  • Liberty has won seven straight over Radford inside the Vines Center.
  • In last season's road matchup, Radford overcame a 17-point first half deficit, outscoring Liberty 33-24 in the second half for a 49-48 loss.
  • Radford's defense allowed 60-plus points for the first time since Jan. 9.
  • Liberty shot 48.1 percent from the field, making five more attempts than Radford, finishing with a 40-percent shooting clip.
  • The loss is the first when Radford shoots 40-percent or higher, compiling a 9-1 record.
  • The Highlanders made 11 of 13 attempts from the free throw line, going 7 for 7 in the first half.
  • For the second consecutive game, Jayda Worthy and Destinee Walker finished in double-figures, giving the duo 12 each on the season.
  • The duo combined for 11 of Radford's 20 made field goals.
  • Radford assisted on 11 shots with Jen Falconer tallying four.
  • Walker led the team with four rebounds as Radford matched a season low with 23 boards.
  • Liberty finished with a 37-23 edge on the boards, pulling down 13 on the offensive glass.
  • The Flames scored 30 points off turnovers and offensive rebounds.
 
QUOTABLE
  • "I think their speed and physicality had us off guard in the first half, which took us a while to get amped up to play. Rebounding was a huge problem, we gave up too many second chance points in the first half and we knew that was a big key of the game. I love our fight in the third quarter. I thought we were as good as we have been in a while in the third quarter as far as execution. We can't come here and get in early deficits like we have in the past couple of years." ~ Radford head coach Mike McGuire
 
UP NEXT
  • Radford has a quick turnaround as the Highlanders travel to Buies Creek, N.C., for a Tuesday night tilt against Campbell.
  • Radford holds a 24-12 edge in the all-time series. The Highlanders are only 8-8 in road contests, winning the last two.
  • The Highlanders own a five-game winning streak in the series, including a 49-48 decision on Feb. 27, 2017 to claim the Big South Regular Season Championship.
  • The five-game streak comes after Campbell had one of its own in the series.
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