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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Birkhead
Bennett Scarborough
56
Winner Radford Rad 5-11,1-4 Big South
52
Charleston So. ChaSou 2-17,2-6 Big South
Winner
Radford Rad
5-11,1-4 Big South
56
Final
52
Charleston So. ChaSou
2-17,2-6 Big South
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Radford Rad 16 6 12 22 56
Charleston So. ChaSou 14 9 13 16 52

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Birkhead’s Late Heroics Lead Radford to Comeback Victory

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Radford Women's Basketball program got back into the win column Tuesday night with a 56-52 victory over Charleston Southern. The Highlanders trailed by as many as eight points in the fourth quarter, but the team clawed back for their first comeback victory of the season thanks in part to Bridget Birkhead's huge three-pointer that gave the team a four-point lead with 30 seconds left in the game.

The Highlanders got out to a strong start over the Buccaneers in the first quarter and led for most of the opening minutes. Ashley Tudor opened the scoring with a three-pointer while Vanessa Blake led the team in scoring with a physical four points. Before the first quarter ended the Highlanders got a 6-0 run thanks to back-to-back three-pointers by Birkhead and Danielle Montelbano.

The second quarter was a defensive battle between the two squads as both teams cooled off offensively. The Buccaneers hit the lone three-pointer of the second quarter to take their first lead of the night midway through the second. Alyssa Chapman hit two jumpers in response over the back half of the second quarter to put Radford back out in front, but Charleston Southern netted a basket in the final minute and would hold onto a 23-22 lead headed into halftime.

Charleston Southern picked up where they left off to open the third quarter with a three-pointer to extend their lead to four. Jackie Christ helped Radford get back on track with a layup at the eight-minute mark, her first of five crucial points in the quarter. The Buccaneers' offensive attack did not let up throughout the quarter as they matched each of the Highlanders' baskets.

Radford got a burst of offense at the end of the third quarter as Birkhead hit her first three-pointer of the second half with a minute and a half remaining to pull the score to a 34-32 deficit. Tudor drove through the defense to tie the game at 34-all with thirty seconds left in the quarter, but the Buccaneers were able to respond with one last bucket before the quarter ended to retake a 36-34 lead.

Charleston Southern went on an 8-2 run in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter thanks to a pair of three-pointers and suddenly Radford was staring at their biggest deficit of the night with a score of 44-36. The Highlanders called a timeout, regrouped, regained focus and would finish the final seven minutes strong.

With under five minutes to play Radford went on a 9-0 run, their largest scoring run of the night. Chapman hit a big three-pointer to pull Radford within one point and it was Carmen with a driving layup who gave Radford their first lead since the second quarter.

With just over two minutes remaining and the game tied at 47-all, Christ converted a massive and-one to put Radford back out in front by three. The Buccaneers responded with a basket of their own just as they had all night to make it a 50-49 game with under a minute to go. Birkhead had the heroic shot for the Highlanders as she nailed a deep three-pointer with just 33 seconds left in the game. Charleston Southern hit a three-pointer of their own just six seconds later to make it once again a one-point game.

Birkhead and Montelbano were sent to the free throw line to try and lock the game away for Radford and the duo succeeded, hitting three of four free throws. The late outburst of offense helped Radford hold on for a 56-52 victory, their first comeback win of the season when trailing at halftime.

Birkhead's 13 points led both teams offensively on the night while Tudor led the team on the boards with six rebounds. Montelbano reached the five-assists mark once again while Tudor and Birkhead both chipped in three or more assists. As a team, the Highlanders shot a strong 10 of 13 from the free throw line outpacing the Buccaneers with eight more points from the charity stripe.

QUOTABLE
"We responded well tonight especially in those final seven minutes. I thought we had some good possessions down the stretch despite Charleston Southern's scrappy defense. At the end of the day, we established heart and grit on the defensive end of the game. The three by Bridget was huge and was a difference maker. The fact that we we were able to deal with the situation we were given and overcome it... I am super proud with how we grew up tonight." -Head Coach Mike McGuire.

NEXT UP
It's a quick turn around for the Highlanders as they're back in action Thursday night at North Carolina A&T. The Highlanders also have a home game on the horizon as the squad is set to return to the Carilion Clinic Court in the Dedmon Cetner for a 2 p.m. tip with Longwood.
 
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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