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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
McClean
61
Furman Furman 5-3,0-0 SoCon
73
Winner Radford Rad 4-3,0-0 Big South
Furman Furman
5-3,0-0 SoCon
61
Final
73
Radford Rad
4-3,0-0 Big South
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Furman Furman 12 20 19 10 61
Radford Rad 16 17 19 21 73

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Radford Takes Down Furman for Third Straight Victory

RADFORD, VA. – The Radford Women's Basketball program won their third straight game Wednesday night with a 73-61 victory over a tough Furman opponent. The Highlanders also moved their home record at the Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center to 3-1 on the season. Senior Bryonna McClean stepped up big in the game with a huge fourth quarter performance that allowed the Highlanders to pull away late.

Ball control was a driving factor in the Highlanders' win as the team had a season-best eight turnovers the entire game that only led to one point by the Paladins. The deep Radford bench overwhelmed Furman outscoring them 40-8 on the night. Danielle Montelbano scored 12 points off the bench for Radford. Jackie Christ, Ashley Tudor and Carmen Williams all scored eight or more points as a part of the scoring effort off the bench.

In the first quarter, Radford and Furman traded buckets as the lead changed five times. Radford controlled most of the quarter, though, as six players quickly found themselves on the scoresheet. The Highlanders forced six Paladin turnovers in the quarter which led to four points. Rachel LaLonde got her night started strong creating chaos for her opponents on the floor with two steals and two rebounds.

Furman made a strong push in the second quarter and even retook the lead thanks to 12 points in the paint. Radford turned to its bench and Montelbano turned in a stellar quarter of play scoring five points and two assists. The team turned the ball over just once in the entire quarter helping the team bring a slim 33-32 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The third quarter was played evenly between the two squads as by the end of the third it was still just a one-point lead for the Highlanders. The lead changed four times and Christ played a big role in putting Radford back out in front twice in the quarter. LaLonde was a monster on the defensive end recording two blocks, two steals and pulling down three more rebounds as she continued to light up all categories of the score sheet.

After Williams gave Radford the one-point lead thanks to a three-pointer to end the quarter, Radford stood strong for an exciting final. Bridget Birkhead hit a big late-game three-pointer to extend the lead to four right out of the break. The Highlanders would extend that lead to eight before the Paladins began chipping away at the lead via the free throw line making it once again a one-point game with three minutes remaining.

After LaLonde gave Radford some breathing room with a strong driving layup, the veteran McClean showed ice in the veins by scoring five quick points to force a Furman timeout. McClean first hit a three and then stole the ball away to hit a fastbreak layup which gave Radford the swing it needed for the final minute of play. McClean, Tudor and Montelbano all went to the free throw line in the final minute and cushioned the Highlander lead to an eventual 73-61 final score.

LaLonde had the most complete night in the box score with seven points, four steals, two assists and ten rebounds. McClean and Montelbano both hit double-figures in the point column while Birkhead found success with eight points and five assists. Furman found their success in the paint all night out-rebounding Radford 49-34 and scoring more second chance points, but the Highlanders made up for it by only committing eight turnovers to the Paladins' 16.

QUOTABLE
"Tonight was a fantastic basketball game. Furman's off to a great start and tonight showed how we have a great respect for them and the team they are. We took a great step in our intensity tonight and had an answer for everything especially late. Rachel continues to step up and do everything, and not just with what shows up in a box score. She made multiple effort plays and did a lot on the boards, this is the second game in a row where she's been great." -Head Coach Mike McGuire. 
 
NEXT UP
Radford will be on the road for the rest of December. The long road trip begins this upcoming Sunday as the Highlanders head north for the nation's capital to face American.
 
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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