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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
LaLonde
66
Winner USC Upstate USCU 14-5,6-2 Big South
55
Radford Rad 5-14,1-7 Big South
Winner
USC Upstate USCU
14-5,6-2 Big South
66
Final
55
Radford Rad
5-14,1-7 Big South
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
USC Upstate USCU 14 11 18 23 66
Radford Rad 3 23 15 14 55

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Highlanders Fall Late in Intense Battle with Spartans

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford Women's Basketball program battled back from an early deficit Tuesday night to make it a close battle with USC Upstate throughout the game. The Spartans used a strong fourth quarter to ultimately pull away, however, and win 66-55.

Not much went the Highlanders way in the first quarter as 10 turnovers plagued the team and allowed the Spartans to build a 14-3 lead. By the end of the first 10 minutes the Highlanders shot just 11% with one made basket. The team did not let that set the tone for the rest of the night and responded with a great second quarter.

This time just committing one turnover, Radford outscored USC Upstate 23-11 in the second quarter. Radford was able to build the comeback due in large part to Rachel LaLonde, Bridget Birkhead and Carmen Williams catching fire. The Highlanders went on a 7-0 run to open the second quarter, capped off by a three-point play by Williams that made it just a 10-14 game.

USC Upstate would mount a response by going on a 9-3 run to open up their lead. Facing a 23-13 deficit, the Highlanders got their response from Williams and Danielle Montelbano who hit back-to-back three-pointers making it a two-point game. Williams would hit another big jumper before it was Birkhead who nailed a late three to give Radford a slim 26-25 lead headed into halftime.

Coming out of the half Radford kept up the offensive and defensive intensity. After the Spartans briefly retook the lead, LaLonde gave it right back to Radford with her first two points of 13 that she scored in the second half. Birkhead converted an and-one to give Radford its biggest lead of the night at 36-32, a lead that would hold through the media break. The lead would grow to as much as six thanks to LaLonde, but USC Upstate went on a 9-0 run to retake a 41-38 lead.

The Spartans did not let up in the fourth quarter and had a response to each of the Highlanders' runs. LaLonde continued her offensive outburst with six more points and two assists while Kyanna Morgan also drained two crucial three-pointers bumping her point total to eight on the night. USC Upstate hit their free throws and only turned the ball over twice to help them finish the game and win 66-55.

Inside the box score, Radford's best performance on the night came from LaLonde who lit up the box score with a team-best 15 points and six assists while also pulling down six rebounds, one steal and one block. Birkhead also finished 14 points while Williams and Morgan just missed double-digit points with nine and eight points, respectively. Jackie Christ finished the night with a career-best seven rebounds which also led the team.

QUOTABLE
"After the first quarter we just needed to settle down. Early on we played too rushed or hurried, too many unforced turnovers. Rachel did a good job again and we thought going in she had a good match-up offensively. For 25 minutes tonight our effort was better, but we're still trying to take those 25 minutes and build on them." -Head Coach Mike McGuire

NEXT UP
The Highlanders will stick to the home court and return to the Dedmon Center Saturday for alumni weekend and their Pink Game to be played against North Carolina A&T.
 
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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