BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Radford (8-10, 6-3 Big South) took down Gardner-Webb (9-9, 4-5 Big South) in Paul Porter Arena on Saturday afternoon, a feat not done since the 2016-17 season. The Highlanders have extended their winning streak to four-games all thanks to career performances and double-doubles by
Khiana Johnson,
Sydney Nunley, as well as
Amele Ngwafang.
Radford came out firing on all cylinders in the first period tallying a total of 26 points to Gardner-Webb's 15.
Tina Lindenfeld opened up the scoring for the Highlanders going 3-for-3 from behind the arc, causing a Runnin' Bulldog timeout. Prior to that pause in momentum, Johnson and Nunley had also scored for Radford. Down the stretch, more and more Highlanders got involved on the offensive end from
Aiden Rainford's layups, Ngwafang's free throw, to
Makaila Wilson's fastbreak jumper.
The second quarter was played a little tighter, as Gardner-Webb outscored Radford by two heading into halftime. At the break, six different Highlanders had made tremendous offensive contributions with Nunley leading the way with 10 points and Lindenfeld close behind with nine. Radford was shooting 53.8 percent from the floor, 50 percent from three, and 54.5 percent from the charity stripe. In comparison, Gardner-Webb was held to 35.5 percent shooting, 36.4 percent from deep, and 50 percent from the free throw line.
In the following periods both teams scored 20-plus points in their search for the win. In the second half Radford garnered 46 points, and Gardner-Webb notched 44.
In the third, the Highlanders wasted no time getting points on the board. They posted a 7-0 run before a three-point basket was made by the Runnin' Bulldogs. This didn't stop Radford as they continued to work the ball inside and make their way to the free throw line. The Highlanders made seven free throws in the third stanza and led 60-50 heading into the fourth quarter.
Gardner-Webb started the final quarter on a 6-0 run before Johnson answered with a jumper to break the drought for Radford. Nunley went to work in the paint moments later and extended the lead to eight. The charity stripe was again a mainstay for the Highlanders who made 16 trips there during the final section. The lead was cut to four points around 3:28 but a made free throw by Rainford and a tip-in by Nunley ignited the final push. In the waning momentS Johnson, Nunley, Lindenfeld and Wilson all went to the free throw line. Wilson's make propelled the lead to 11 where it would stay for the final 13 seconds of play.
Savannah Plentovich played 28 minutes for Gardner-Webb and scored 30 points. She also had several steals, two assists, and a pair of rebounds. Plentovich made seven threes and was 10-for-14 from the floor.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE TROUBLE
Coach McGuire and the 2019-20 Highlanders had posted 12 total double-doubles this season. Ngwafang notched her fourth career double-double in a matter of 12 minutes. She ended the contest with 11 points, a block, an assist, and 10 rebounds. Both Johnson and Nunley set new career highs on the afternoon for total points. Johnson's newly set 22-points was paired with 10 assists, which ties her career high last done at ETSU this season. She now has two double-double performances this season and three on her career. Nunley grabbed 11 boards and scored her new career high 25-points. She has now notched a double-doubles in the last four games played, for a season total of six and career total of 18.
HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHT
Lindenfeld ignited the first quarter push as she knocked down the first basket of the game, then proceeded to go 3-for-3 from behind the arc. She added 14 points, three rebounds, an assist, and a block to the Highlander cause.
TWEET OF THE GAME
QUOTABLE
"I thought it was a fantastic performance by those three [Khiana, Sydney, Amele], but really our entire team," said head coach Mike McGuire. If you look at our seniors, their level of offensive production today was fantastic…Those three led the way today but it was just a gritty, gritty win by our team today."
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Radford ended the game shooting an impressive 58.3 percent from the floor, 45.5 percent from the three, and 60.5 percent from the free throw line. The Highlanders shot a total of 38 free throws. They were able to capitalize on Gardner-Webb mishaps for a total of 22 points, the paint was the prime scoring spot as Radford notched 38 points from there. Second chance and bench points were key in the win, at 16 and 15 respectively. The Runnin' Bulldogs didn't make it easy for the Highlanders with shooting 42.6 percent from the floor, 44 percent from three, and 62.5 percent from the charity stripe. Their bench was key and produced a total of 64 points.
UP NEXT
Radford returns home to the Dedmon Center to host top-ranked Campbell on Tuesday, Jan. 28th at 6:00 p.m.
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