Women's Basketball 12/30/2019 2:05:00 PM

HIGHLANDERS OPEN CONFERENCE PLAY VERSUS PRESBYTERIAN IN NEW YEAR’S EVE TILT

RADFORD, Va.—Back on the hardwood of the Dedmon Center for only the third time this season, Radford will look to notch its first home victory and commence Big South conference play against Presbyterian. The Blue Hose will make their way to face the Highlanders on New Year's Eve, at 2:00 p.m.

Before the holiday break, Radford journeyed to Tuscaloosa for the first matchup ever versus Alabama and their final nonconference game. This hard-fought contest pinned the Highlanders within one of the Crimson Tide heading into halftime. However, a second half rally by Alabama allowed them to pull away from Radford down the stretch, 85-51. Strong performances from Khiana Johnson, Aiden Rainford, and Sydney Nunley set the pace for the offense. Johnson joined the 1,000-point club after a jumper at the 4:21 mark. She is now the 25th player in program history and the fifth in the McGuire era, Johnson joined the prestigious 1,000-point club tonight. She entered the game only needing six more points and concluded the contest with 14 points. Through 38 minutes played, she added a pair of rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Rainford put together an 11-point outing, setting a career high in that category. Nunley's 18 minutes provided 10 points and several rebounds.

These teams met a total of three times on the hardwood last season with Radford besting Presbyterian each time. The pair of regular season meetings had scores of 59-49 and 48-43. The Highlanders defeated the No.9 Blue Hose on Mar. 14th to advance to their fourth consecutive Big South Semifinal, 60-49. Radford was led by a double-double from Lydia Rivers, 25 points and 14 rebounds. Destine Walker joined her teammate with 24 points, as the duo led all scorers in the game.

A Radford win would not only snap the current five-game losing streak, but add to the Highlanders dominance in the All-Time series at 23-5. A victory would also give Radford their first win at home this season, and third overall. A loss gives Presbyterian their sixth win in the All- Time series, pushes Radford to a 2-8, 0-1 BSC start, and makes Coach McGuire 3-4 in Big South conference openers.

In NCAA DI women's basketball, Radford as a team cracks the top-100 teams in fewest fouls at 25th and 43rd in fewest turnovers. Khiana is 75th in assists per game, third in conference. Makaila Wilson has shot her way into the conversation becoming 244th and ninth in the conference for three-point field goals per game.

Jen Falconer is nine games away from tying Jayda Worthy (2014-18) for career games played at 123. Falconer & Johnson are also two and three in career three-point attempts at 359 and 324. Falconer is ninth in career assists at 274 and is now joined by Johnson at 10th, 272. Sydney Nunley has now solidified herself at No.7 in individual career blocks at 101.

Presbyterian opened conference play at UNC Asheville on Saturday, falling 39-54. The Bulldogs pulled away in the third quarter, but both teams had players score 13 points in the outing. Presbyterian has faced South Carolina State, West Virginia, William Peace, Florida, College of Charleston, Wofford, Illinois, and UNCW.

UP NEXT
Radford will remain in Dedmon after the New Year to take on Charleston Southern at 2 p.m., in a doubleheader feature with the men's team.

FOLLOW RADFORD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
For more information on the Radford women's basketball team follow @Radford_WBB on Twitter and Instagram or Radford Women's Basketball on Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

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

#20 Lydia Rivers: F; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#5 Jen Falconer: G; 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior

#4 Khiana Johnson: G; 5' 7"; Senior

#50 Sydney Nunley: C; 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior

#14 Makaila Wilson: G; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#23 Aiden Rainford: F; 6' 1"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

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

#20 Lydia Rivers
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: F

#5 Jen Falconer
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior
: G

#4 Khiana Johnson
: 5' 7"; Senior
: G

#50 Sydney Nunley
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior
: C

#14 Makaila Wilson
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: G

#23 Aiden Rainford
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: F