Williams’ Career Night Leads Radford to Big Win Over UNC Asheville

Tuesday, February 15

Radford, Va.

7:00 PM

Radford University

6-18,2-11Big South

UNC Asheville

7-19,2-13Big South

Team	1	2	3	4	F
UNC Asheville	19	17	21	5	62
Radford	18	23	22	16	79

Photo by: Evan Musgrave, Radford University Photo

Williams’ Career Night Leads Radford to Big Win Over UNC Asheville

2/15/2022 9:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford Women's Basketball program defeated UNC Asheville 79-62 Tuesday night behind freshman Carmen Williams' career-best shooting night.

The early minutes of the game set the pace for the night as both teams traded shots and got off to hot shooting starts. Rachel LaLonde sunk a three-pointer in Radford's first possession of the night, but UNC Asheville responded immediately to retake a 4-3 lead. Bridget Birkhead started off her strong night of shooting with back-to-back three-pointers which forced an early Bulldog timeout.

The Bulldogs came out of the timeout strong nailing a three-pointer, but Radford kept up the pace thanks to Birkhead and Destinee Marshall layups. As a team the Highlanders shot 54% in the first quarter, but the Bulldogs used eight second chance points to hold a 19-18 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Bulldog lead wouldn't last long in the second quarter as Kyanna Morgan dropped a layup and Taiye Johnson got into the scoring to make it 22-21 Radford. UNC Asheville retook the lead as the two teams swapped the lead 12 times in the first half, but Williams hit her first three of the night just under the eight-minute mark to push things back in Radford's favor.

The Highlanders would hit six straight shots to end the second quarter and give themselves a commanding 41-36 lead at the break. Radford had the strong start they needed, and the great offensive first half came from not just one player but through an entire team effort. The second quarter was the team's best shooting quarter of the night at a blistering 79%. Radford had five three-pointers before the halftime horn blew, which matched their total output from their last game.

Radford did not slow down in the second half outpacing the Bulldogs 38-26 to eventually pull away and secure their first home Big South victory of the season. The second half belonged to Williams as she set the tone with a three-pointer in the opening minutes of the third quarter that extended the team's lead to 46-39. Another three-pointer a couple minutes later made it 53-45.

UNC Asheville had multiple strings of back-to-back baskets, but with every offensive push Radford had a response from every player on the court. Ashley Tudor dropped a three and just under a minute later Danielle Montelbano would add a three of her own to make it 63-57 headed into the final quarter of play.

To open up the final quarter, Williams' nailed a dagger fourth-straight three-pointer to make it a nine point lead. Williams and Marshall combined to extend the lead to 16 as UNC Asheville was unable to get anything to fall. The Bulldogs scored just five points in the final quarter, three of which came in the final minute from an and-one. The Highlanders played clean, strong ball over the final minutes to hold on and ultimately win 79-62.

Inside the box score Williams led the team and set a career-high with 16 points. Three other Highlanders in Birkhead, Marshall and Morgan finished with double-digit figures. Marshall wasn't just perfect in her shooting but also her distributing as she picked up a career-high and the team's season-high eight assists. Radford was also able to win the turnover battle tonight by seven and finish with a season-high 57% shooting percentage.

NEXT UP
The Highlanders have a quick turn around as their make-up home game against Winthrop is scheduled for Thursday night at 6 p.m.

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.