Radford, UNC Asheville to Square Off in Weekend Series

RADFORD, Va. – After going three weeks without playing a game, the Radford women's basketball team returns to the court Friday and Saturday for a two-game series against UNC Asheville inside the Dedmon Center.

By the time the Highlanders and Bulldogs tip Friday evening at 5 p.m., it will have been 22 days since Radford's last game, a 61-55 win over Presbyterian. Ashley Tudor had career highs of 18 points, six rebounds, five steals and two blocks in the win over the Blue Hose, while Bryonna McClean tied her career-high with 14 points. Radford came back from a nine-point third quarter deficit in that game, outscoring Presbyterian by a 35-20 margin over the final 16:03 of the game.

Despite featuring just one player taller than 6-foot-1, the Highlanders have been one of the best teams in the Big South when it comes to blocking shots. Radford ranks second in the conference with 4.2 rejections per game. On the offensive side, the Highlanders have had success from beyond the arc, ranking inside the top five in the Big South in both 3-pointers made (third, 6.3 per game) and 3-point percentage (fifth, .281).

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
UNC Asheville enters the weekend 5-6 overall and 4-2 in Big South play. The Bulldogs are the only team in the conference to earn a win over league-leading High Point and have won three of their last four games.

Preseason all-conference selection Nadiria Evans leads the Big South in scoring at 20.2 points per game, while Kai Carter adds 13.9 points and a team-best 7.5 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs.

THE LAST MEETING
Radford withstood a second half surge by UNC Asheville en route to a 73-66 victory on March 4, 2020. A quartet of free throws from Khiana Johnson, Makaila Wilson and Sydney Nunley came in clutch to put distance between the Highlanders and the Bulldogs in the waning moments of the contest.

Radford had a 10-point lead at the half before the home side stormed back to tie the game at 55-all before Johnson, McClean and Wilson combined for Radford's next 10 points to put the Highlanders ahead by eight. The Bulldogs' Zip Scott drained a three-ball to get within striking distance, at 67-66, but the Highlanders' defense held while the offense had Wilson, Nunley, and Johnson all drained free throws to complete the 73-66 victory.

UP NEXT
Following the two-game series against UNC Asheville, Radford begins a three-game road trip Tuesday evening at Hampton.

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

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

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

#12 Bryonna McClean: G; 5' 9"; Junior

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

#22 Ashley Tudor: G; 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

#12 Bryonna McClean
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

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

#22 Ashley Tudor
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: G