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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Birkhead
63
Radford Rad 0-1,0-0 Big South
82
Winner Pittsburgh Pitt 1-0,0-0 ACC
Radford Rad
0-1,0-0 Big South
63
Final
82
Pittsburgh Pitt
1-0,0-0 ACC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Radford Rad 13 9 18 23 63
Pittsburgh Pitt 21 16 22 23 82

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Highlanders Drop Season Opener at Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Radford Women's Basketball program fell in a tough road contest Wednesday night, 82-63, to Pittsburgh. Three Highlanders recorded double-digit point totals in their first action of the 2021-22 season.

The Highlanders started their offensive attack early as transfer Bridget Birkhead immediately made her presence known with a three-ball that gave Radford a 3-2 edge in the first minute of the game. Pittsburgh knocked down a three of their own on the very next possession, however, and would hold onto that lead the rest of the way.

Jackie Christ helped pace Radford in the first quarter in her first start wearing the Radford red, scoring four points and pulling down a rebound. Makaila Brown also saw her first minutes as a Highlander in the first quarter and recorded a rebound.

A Kyanna Morgan three-pointer brought the deficit back to just five to start the second quarter as the Highlanders tried to fight back. Christ and Rachel LaLonde also added a pair of made shots to keep Radford in the game.

With a 37-22 deficit headed into halftime, Radford's offense came back out aggressively and finished the game strong. The three-ball came alive while Ashley Tudor and Taiye Johnson put in good work at the free throw line. Bryonna McClean, who was held scoreless in the first half, scored all of her six points in the second half.

Newcomer Carmen Williams started things in the fourth quarter as she scored her first collegiate points from beyond the arc. Williams added another three-pointer to finish the night with six points off the bench. The Highlanders wound up outscoring the Panthers 34-27 off the bench and also converted 13 points off Pittsburgh turnovers. Morgan and Tudor played a key role off the bench, combining for 23 points.

QUOTABLE
"I think we got off to a wrong start in paying attention to our game plan. It's a lesson we need as they're a good team that took us out of what we wanted to do. I thought in the second half we had more control and were more disciplined. We understood the play calls a little better and handled some pressure to get to a shot that we wanted. One loss is never responsible for two. We've got to take these lessons and get back to campus and prepare for a Marshall team in what will probably be a more up-tempo game." -Head Coach Mike McGuire. 

KEY STATS
  • LaLonde, Tudor and Morgan all recorded double-digit point totals on the night. LaLonde also pulled down a team-best four rebounds.
  • Radford was almost perfect from the free throw line tonight. Radford missed just one of 14 shots taken from the charity stripe while forcing multiple Panthers into foul trouble.
  • Tudor succeeded the most in getting to the free throw line, drawing five fouls and going 8-8 from the line.
  • The Highlanders shot 40% or better from the field in all but the second quarter.
NEXT UP
The Highlanders will return to Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center for an exciting match with Marshall next Sunday. The game is set to tip at 2 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
FOLLOW RADFORD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
To follow the Radford women's basketball team throughout the season, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @Radford_WBB on Twitter, 'radford_wbb' Instagram or Radford Women's Basketball on Facebook.
 
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