46-Point Second Half Leads Radford Past Winthrop

Friday, February 5

Rock Hill, S.C.

6:00 PM

Radford University

5-7, 5-5BSC

Winthrop

5-11, 4-9BSC

Team	1	2	3	4	F
RAD	12	14	23	23	72
WINTHROP	11	12	13	10	46

Photo by: Adam Gue

46-Point Second Half Leads Radford Past Winthrop

2/5/2021 9:26:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

ROCK HILL, S.C. – After a slow start to the opening game inside Winthrop Coliseum on Friday night, the Highlanders notched a 46-point second half which led to a 72-46 victory over the Eagles in game one of this back-to-back series. Radford concluded the contest with four in double digit scoring, paced by Ariel Williams and Bryonna McClean.

Radford commenced the third period on a 9-0 run thanks to several jumpers from Makaila Wilson, Williams, and McClean. Tina Lindenfeld's signature three-ball made its appearance as well to push the lead to 35-23 before the first Winthrop basket at the 6:15 minute mark. The Eagles' potential momentum was seemingly negated moments later by an and-one play from McClean. Destinee Marshall would beat the period ending buzzer getting her jumper to fall, which pushed Radford ahead by 13 points heading into the fourth. The Highlanders' defense was subsequently firing on all cylinders, holding the Eagles to only 13 points, a game-high on the night.

The teams seemed to trade baskets in the final period, but the deficit was too large to overcome at that point for Winthrop. Radford concluded the contest on a 6-0 run through the last 1:14 going 5-for-6 on their final field goals. Offensively in this period, the Highlanders were shooting 72.7 percent from the floor, 50 percent from deep, and 80 percent from the free throw line. The Eagles could not seem to find a rhythm down the stretch, tallying a game-low 10 points.

In the opening stanzas, neither team amassed 15 points in either the first or second periods. At the half, Radford edged Winthrop 26-23. At the intermission the Highlanders were shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor while holding the Eagles to 31 percent.

Winthrop was led by Myra Strickland and Tori Hall, combining for a total of 24 points. The Eagles ended the game without a field goal in the final two minutes and without a three-pointer in the game, going 0-for-15 from deep.

FEARSOME FOURSOME
McClean, Williams, Wilson, and Lindenfeld tallied 52 of Radford's total points on the night. McClean, who tied her career high in points, and Williams posted 14 points each for Radford. Wilson followed closely behind with 13 and 11 for Lindenfeld.

STAT OF THE GAME
Radford held the lead for 33 minutes and never missed a layup, going 11-for-11. The Highlanders also set the pace of the contest with 23 fast break points as well as their dominance on the low block with 40 points in the paint.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Q2 | 3:22

?? 22
?? 19

The classic give & go. #RiseAndDefend x #RadfordTough pic.twitter.com/8777B8CgsB
— Radford Women's Basketball (@Radford_WBB) February 5, 2021

UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to The Hill for game two of the series looking to continue their current three-game winning streak with tip-off set at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.

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