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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Birkhead
51
Winner Radford Rad 3-3,0-0 Big South
50
UNCW UNCW 1-5,0-0 CAA
Winner
Radford Rad
3-3,0-0 Big South
51
Final
50
UNCW UNCW
1-5,0-0 CAA
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Radford Rad 12 10 15 14 51
UNCW UNCW 12 4 12 22 50

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Birkhead’s 16 Points Push Highlanders to Thrilling Road Victory

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Radford Women's Basketball program held on to defeat UNC Wilmington on the road Saturday afternoon in a 51-50 final score with a thrilling finish. Bridget Birkhead exploded in the second half and totaled 16 points to fuel Radford's offense to the finish line.

Bryonna McClean and Rachel LaLonde scored the Highlanders opening baskets which gave the team an early 4-2 lead. Birkhead hit her first three-pointer of the game four minutes into the first quarter, her only made shot from deep in the first half.

The Seahawks rallied and went on a 4-0 run to retake the lead in a back-and-forth opening quarter. The quarter would finish with a tied 12-12 score thanks to a quick three by Kyanna Morgan and a jumper just outside the paint by Danielle Montelbano who wound up having a career night.

The Highlanders came out firing in the second quarter and got two quick baskets by Vanessa Blake and LaLonde. With the score at a 16-12 advantage for Radford, Montelbano made three straight baskets to quickly raise her point total to eight which was a new season high. Radford rode the successful shooting of Montelbano to a 22-16 lead at the half.

LaLonde opened the second half with a three-pointer that would set the tone for the rest of the game. Radford shot just 2-7 from three in the first half and turned that around to shoot 5-10 the rest of the way. Jackie Christ extended Radford's lead to 11 and Carmen Williams would push it to 12 thanks to an and-one four minutes into the third quarter.

Birkhead would finish the third quarter strong for Radford despite UNC Wilmington rallying late. Birkhead scored five of the final seven points with McClean adding a jumper in the closing seconds to propel the Highlanders to a 37-28 lead headed into the final quarter.

The Seahawks were aggressive over the final 10 minutes and forced Radford into multiple turnovers before eventually retaking the lead with under six minutes to play. LaLonde hit a pair of crucial free throws to push Radford back out in front at 42-41. It became a sprint to the finish as Birkhead and Destinee Marshall exchanged three-pointers before the Seahawks clawed back using the free throw line to make it a one-point game. The Seahawks owned the final possession in the one-point game, but the buzzer-beating shot rimmed out and the Highlanders took home the 51-50 victory.

Overall on the day, Birkhead scored double-digit points for the second straight game and finished the night with 16 leading all players. LaLonde came up just short of a double-double with her 10 rebounds and nine points. LaLonde is also the first Highlander this season to pull down 10 or more rebounds in a single game. Ashley Tudor also had a big game on the boards finishing with seven while Marshall helped the offense flow with a team-best four assists.

QUOTABLE
"This is what this team needs, winning on the road is hard. (UNC Wilmington) have a lot of veterans and a lot of transfers with a lot of playing experience. It's a good win for us, greatly needed. Our defense is improving, and the good thing is we were willing to make those six- or seven-foot shots challenging. We made just enough stops down the stretch to win this game. Bridget is a very aggressive offensively minded player with a beautiful catch and shoot game. When her and Destinee hit those back-to-back shots that gave us just enough breathing room to win the game." -Head Coach Mike McGuire. 
 
NEXT UP
Radford returns to the Dedmon Center this week and welcomes a strong Furman squad that already has two wins against Big South competition. The game is currently set for a 7 p.m. tip on Wednesday and will feature the "Teddy Bear Toss" at halftime sponsored by Carilion Clinic.
 
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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