Women's Basketball 12/7/2019 11:31:00 AM

HIGHLANDERS PREPARE FOR FIRST EVER MATCHUP AGAINST THE BUCKEYES

RADFORD, Va.—On Sunday, Dec. 8th at 2:00 p.m. the Highlanders will face the Buckeyes in the first ever matchup in program history.

Radford (2-4) is currently on a two-game losing streak after falling to Morehead State 62-73 back on Nov. 30th. The Highlanders had a dominate showing to open the game, scoring 21 in the first quarter but were outscored down the stretch. Despite the loss, Radford had several score in double digits with Amele Ngwafang's 14 points to lead the way. Aiden Rainford notched 10 points, with Tina Lindenfeld scoring 11 points. Rainford was just a rebound away from her first career double-double, and Ngwafang just one board shy as well. Radford was dominate in the painted area scoring 30 of their points from there to Morehead State's 14. The Highlanders were able to get 15 points off of turnovers with the bench contributing a total of 25 points. Lindenfeld has now had back-to-back 11-point games, her newly set career high.

This is the first ever meeting between Radford and Ohio State. The Buckeyes will look to continue their momentum after defeating No.2 Louisville on Thursday, 67-60. Sophomore Dorka Juasz led her team to victory over Louisville with 15 points and seven rebounds. Freshman standout Kierstan Bell is second on the team at 10.5ppg and leads the team with 16 steals. Fellow freshman, Rebeka Mikulasikova paces the Buckeyes with a shooting percentage of .595 from the floor and .545 percent from deep. Head Coach Kevin McGuff is only three wins away from 400 on his career.

A Radford win would give the Highlanders their first 2019-20 victory over a power five school since defeating Virginia in Charlottesville last year on Dec. 8th, 57-44. It would also start the series off on the right foot for Radford and be the second win over a Big Ten opponent in the McGuire era (after beating Penn State in WNIT 2017-18 season, 63-62). A loss would propel Ohio State to a 6-3 overall record and position the Buckeyes with a one game win lead to commence the All-Time series.

Radford's 'big-three' in Jen Falconer, Khiana Johnson, and Sydney Nunley are all making their mark in the program's history books. Falconer is 11 games away from tying Jada Worthy for career games played, is No.2 for career three-point attempts at 348, and No.9 in career assists with 270. Johnson is 28 points away from joining the 1,000-point club and is No.3 for career three-point attempts at 316. Nunley has solidified herself as No.7 in career blocks at 101.

In NCAA Division I women's basketball, the Highlanders as a team are 107th in blocked shots per game, 89th in fewest fouls, and 72nd in fewest turnovers. Johnson is 194th in assists per game. Nunley is 107th in blocked shots per game. Ngwafang is 20th in offensive rebounds per game and 109th in total rebounds per game.

The Buckeyes opened the year with back-to-back victories over Valparaiso and an overtime thriller against Cincinnati. Their first loss was handed to them by in-state foe, Ohio at home 68-74. The Huskies of UConn came to town and handed the Buckeyes an 11-point loss. Ohio State played in the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout in Las Vegas and split the tourney, losing to South Dakota and topping Northern Iowa. Entering this matchup, Ohio State is riding a two-game winning streak after downing No.2 Louisville 67-60 at home.

Radford will return to Dedmon on Sunday, Dec. 15th versus American at 2:00 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#2 Tina Lindenfeld: F; 6' 1"; Junior

#35 Amele Ngwafang: F; 6' 0"; Sophomore

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

#2 Tina Lindenfeld
: 6' 1"; Junior
: F

#35 Amele Ngwafang
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: F

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

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