Highlanders Open Big South Conference Play at Lancers

FARMVILLE, Va. – Radford (0-2) will commence Big South Conference play at Longwood (0-4) on Tuesday, December 15 at 6 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT
These two teams last saw each other earlier this year back on Tuesday, February 18 2020 in an Education Day rematch. The Highlanders reversed, at its largest, an 11-point deficit to take the season series in an 88-76 decision.

Radford's 88-points are the most points scored during the 2019-20 season en route to tying a season high in assists at 18. The Highlanders also set a new season high in field goals made in the contest at 29. Both teams had an explosive opening quarter, with Radford getting the one-point edge at 21 to 20. However, in the second period the Lancers adjusted on the Highlanders and held them to only nine points. Both teams had a dynamic fourth period with Radford scoring 34 points to Longwood's 29. Starting out on an 8-0 run, the Highlanders were rolling from every spot on the floor. From there, they never looked back. Radford made 11 field goals, several three's, and nine free throws in this stanza. A pair of free throws from Johnson with 26 seconds remaining, pushed the lead to 15 points over Longwood. The Lancers' McMakin marked 32 points on the day with three steals, a block, five assists, three rebounds, and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Longwood ended the game shooting 41.5 percent from the floor, 54.5 from deep, and 83.3 from the free throw line.

Coming off the bench for a career day was Rachel LaLonde. Through her nine minutes played she tallied nine points. LaLonde had a steal, a rebound, and made her first three-pointers as a Highlander going 2-for-3 from deep. The Highlanders shot 52.7 percent from the floor, 50 percent from beyond the arc, and 64.6 percent from the free throw line on the day.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
In the 2019-20 season, the Lancers were knocked out of the conference tournament by Presbyterian at home 73-82.

The non-conference slate for Longwood this year includes Duke, East Tennessee State, George Mason, and Towson. The Lancers have dropped each contest and will be looking for their first win of the season. In the preseason, Tra'Dayja Smith was placed on the watch list for the 2021 Nancy Lieberman Award, which honors the nation's top point guard. Sophomore Kyla McMakin returned to the Lancers and was tabbed as the All-Big South Preseason First Team after making history last season as the first Longwood women's basketball player to earn All-Big South First Team and Big South Freshman of the Year honors.

PREVIOUS GAME HIGHLIGHTS
The Highlanders got out to a very hot start inside the Cam Henderson Center against the Thundering Herd on Sunday afternoon. The score in this game saw two ties and several lead changes before Marshall's (1-0) eventual edge of Radford (0-2), thanks to a decisive fourth period. With just 46 seconds ticked off the game clock, Tina Lindenfeld launched a three-pointer for the game's first points. This is the second consecutive game in which Lindenfeld has scored first for Radford and her choice of shot being from beyond the arc.

Radford battled back into contention in the third, outscoring Marshall 17-15 in the period. Offensively, the Highlanders distributed the ball well which led to contributions from five different players with Makaila Wilson and LaLonde leading the way. A last second basket from Kristen Mayo broke the 47 all tie, and gave the Thundering Herd a two-point lead heading into the final period of play.

Right on cue, Wilson's three-point basket commenced the fourth period and gave her team a sense of urgency. Back-to-back free throws from Taiye Johnson gave Radford much needed cushion followed by a deep ball from Destinee Marshall to make the score 55-54 with about seven minutes left to play. A split trip to the charity stripe for Marshall deadlocked the game at 55 all with just around 5:48 remaining. Prior to getting into a must foul situation, Radford answered a would-be Marshall 6-0 run with a layup from the freshman, Marshall. After the timeout, the Thundering Herd would ensure their lead with made free throws down the stretch as the Highlanders' offense suffered miscues.

Marshall's sophomore leading scorer Savannah Wheeler displayed why she was selected to the All-Conference USA preseason team, with a 25-point outing through 27 minutes. She was aided by Marshall's other double-digit scorer, Alexis Johnson with 12 points and added nine rebounds.

UP NEXT
Radford will play a two-game series at Longwood with game two on Wednesday, December 6 at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.

FOLLOW WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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Players Mentioned

#30 Taiye Johnson: C; 6' 5"; Sophomore

#0 Rachel LaLonde: F; 6' 1"; Sophomore

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

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

#1 Destinee Marshall: G; 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#30 Taiye Johnson
: 6' 5"; Sophomore
: C

#0 Rachel LaLonde
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: F

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

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

#1 Destinee Marshall
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: G