Radford Begins 2020-21 Season at North Carolina

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's basketball team will travel to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to commence the 2020-21 season at (RV) North Carolina at 1 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.

The Highlanders are a fairly well-balanced team with seven upperclassmen to a combined six sophomores and freshmen. Radford's senior trio this year are Tina Lindenfeld, Ariel Williams and Laney Corbin. Head Coach Mike McGuire not only added depth at the guard position but also returned former Highlander standout, Jayda Worthy, as an assistant coach to assist with post player development.

Radford was selected to finish second in the Big South Conference preseason poll, just five points behind predicted frontrunner, Campbell who also received the conference's 2019-20 NCAA Tournament bid. Junior Amele Ngwafang represented the Highlanders on the All-Conference Second Team.

Last season, Radford (17-12, 15-5 BSC) battled through one of their toughest non-conference slates to securing the No.2 seed on Senior Day after defeating Hampton 70-63. After winning four out of their last five contests, the Highlanders had won the right to host a portion of the 2020 Hercules Tires Big south Women's Basketball Tournament in the Dedmon Center. However, all postseason play would be canceled due to COVID-19 concerns on March 11, 2020.

Prior to the tournament, the Big South announced postseason award winners which were highlighted by Radford's former 'big three' in Khiana Johnson, Sydney Nunley, and Jen Falconer. Johnson was named to the First Team, Nunley to the Second Team and Falconer on the All-Academic team.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
North Carolina is looking to build upon year two as a Tar Heel for head coach Courtney Banghart. Last season, she guided them to a 16-14, 7-11 ACC finish. The Tar Heels were picked fourth in the 2020-21 ACC preseason poll with senior, Janelle Bailey named to the All-ACC preseason team for the third consecutive year. Freshman Deja Kelly was also selected to the Newcomer Watch List, first freshman honored since Bailey was named to watch list in 2017-18. North Carolina signed four newcomers for the 2020-21 season in Destiny Adams, Teonni Key, Kayla McPherson and Morasha Wiggins -- each ranked in the top-18 and the No. 2 class collectively ranked in the nation.

Bailey was also named to the Lisa Leslie Award Watch List recognizing her as one of the nation's top centers as well as the Wade Watch List, from the WBCA to highlight one of 30 players as the national player of the year. The Tar Heels not only received votes in the latest AP poll but also the coaches poll.

LAST TIME OUT
These teams last saw each other on Nov. 16, 2017. Then junior, Destinee Walker led the Highlander offense with 12 points. Radford was unable to mount a counter for the red-hot shooting from North Carolina. Despite shooting 25 percent from the field, Radford 15 of 19 free throw attempts for a 78.9 percentage. North Carolina finished with four players in double-figures as Janelle Bailey led the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

UP NEXT
Radford will head to face the No. 6 ranked Wolfpack of N.C. State at 2 p.m. on ACC Network Extra on Sunday.

FOLLOW WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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

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

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

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

#10 Destinee Walker: G/F; 5' 11"; Senior

#42 Laney Corbin: F; 6' 0"; Senior

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

#3 Ariel Williams: G; 5' 9"; Senior

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

#10 Destinee Walker
: 5' 11"; Senior
: G/F

#42 Laney Corbin
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F

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

#3 Ariel Williams
: 5' 9"; Senior
: G