RADFORD, Va. - Radford takes their momentum down to Big South Conference leading Campbell, seeking redemption after the Fightin' Camels took game one of the season series back on Jan. 28th in the Dedmon Center.
A few days ago, the Highlanders added their third series sweep after defeating Buccaneers (3-19, 1-12 BSC) 64-40 on ESPN3. Makaila Wilson and Sydney Nunley scored a combined 29 points to aid in the Radford's victory. Wilson and Nunley were the lone double-digit scorers on the night. The sophomore's 15 points were close to her career high through her 23 minutes played. The senior center's 14 points came through her 25 minutes on the hardwood. Both ending the game shooting 41.7 percent from the floor. Radford held CSU to 12 points in the first half which is the same threshold the Bucs reached in the first matchup back on Saturday, Jan. 4th. Charleston Southern was led by Big South preseason All-Conference selection Tierra Steede, who had 10 points, eight rebounds, and a block. She was the only Buccaneer to reach the double-digit mark on the night. CSU had a two-point lead but only in the first period around the 8:21 mark. The end stat line for Charleston Southern was 27.5 percent from the floor, 11.1 percent from deep, but an impressive 68.8 percent from the charity stripe.
Wilson's career high of 17 points was established earlier this year versus American. In this contest, she was only two points away from tying that total. Wilson ended the game with 15 points, a pair of rebounds and her newly set career high, four assists. Nunley was a force down the stretch, even adding a few and-one plays. Her 14 points were paired with two assists, nine rebounds, and four made free throws.
The last time Radford played Campbell, the Highlanders' fourth quarter momentum carried them back into the game but fell just short against the Fightin' Camels, 43-32. Nunley's bucket to start the fourth brought the deficit to 17 points but Campbell answered with 6-0 run to push the lead back up to 21 points. That didn't discourage Radford, and a layup in the paint from Aiden Rainford ignited a huge rally. In total, the Highlanders responded with a 16-0 that took up the remaining 5:05 of the period. Radford had now closed the gap between them and Campbell to seven points, forcing a Camel timeout. Now in a clock management situation, the Highlanders were forced to draw quick fouls to elevate elongated Camel possessions. With five trips to the free throw line, Campbell converted on all five and extended their lead to 12 points with 28 seconds remaining in regulation.
Kianna Speight led the way for Campbell with her 11 points, and was the only double-digit scorer for the Camels. Amele Ngwafang was one of the driving forces for Radford off the bench, producing 12 points and grabbing several boards through 22 minutes.
On the night of establishing a new program record for games played at 124, Jen Falconer came alive for the Highlanders in the second half. Her contributions of eight points, two steals, an assist, and two rebounds helped lead the fourth quarter rally. Falconer was 3-for-6 from the floor and 50 percent from the three-point line.
A Radford win would put the Highlanders at 30 wins over Campbell and give Radford its first season series split. A Radford loss would give Campbell the season sweep over Radford and keep the Camels' winning streak alive, at 11 wins.
In NCAA DI women's basketball, Radford as a team cracks the top-100 in fewest fouls at 65, 49 in field-goal percentage defense, 85 in personal fouls per game, 81 in rebound margin, 96 in rebounds per game, and 42 in scoring defense. Johnson is ranked 114th in assists and 107th in assists per game. Ngwafang is 87th in free throw attempts and 173rd in rebounds per game. Nunley is 119th in rebounds per game.
Falconer set a new program record in career games played at 127 versus Campbell, and Johnson is close behind at No.4 with 121 games played. Falconer has tied Destinee Walker in three-pointers attempted 402, with Johnson in second at 368. The duo is also eighth and sixth in assists at 304 and 323 respectively. Nunley is sixth for career blocks at 114. Johnson is 10th for three-pointers made on her career with 106. Wilson cracked the top-10 in career three-pointers attempted at 174.
Since their first game against Radford, Campbell has played three games and have won each contest. These games were against USC Upstate, UNC Asheville, and High Point. In their last game at High Point, Campbell's late mid-range jumper came with .4 seconds left on the clock to cap an 18-2 fourth-quarter run to push the Camels past the Panthers at 68-66. Campbell trailed by as many as 15 with 9:12 left in the fourth quarter. Camryn Brown, who finished with a game-high 24 points, knocked down a jumper with 7:48 to play before Campbell went on a 14-0 run to tie the game, 64,64, with 3:54 to play.
The 12 wins in Big South play sits two games shy of the most wins in Big South play in program history. Campbell returns to action on Saturday at home against Radford. The Camels have not lost at home this season winning all 10 outings inside Gore Arena.
UP NEXT
Radford returns home to host Longwood on Tuesday, Feb. 18th at 11 a.m. for Education Day in the Dedmon Center.
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.
