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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Bryonna and Bridget
61
Winner Presbyterian Presb 11-17,6-12 Big South
57
Radford Rad 7-22,3-15 Big South
Winner
Presbyterian Presb
11-17,6-12 Big South
61
Final
57
Radford Rad
7-22,3-15 Big South
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Presbyterian Presb 13 15 18 15 61
Radford Rad 22 11 10 14 57

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Hot Start Not Enough in Regular Season Finale

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford Women's Basketball program fell to Presbyterian 61-57 Saturday afternoon in their regular season finale. Bridget Birkhead exploded for senior day with 20 points while Rachel LaLonde also recorded her second double-double of the season.

Before the game started the Highlanders honored their two seniors, Birkhead and Bryonna McClean. That duo would team up to provide the Highlanders with their first two buckets of the day as well, and an early 5-2 lead. The Highlanders' offense was near perfect to start out the game, as Destinee Marshall dropped a quick five points and Birkhead another bucket to make it a 14-4 lead and force a Presbyterian timeout.

Birkhead dropped her second three of the game to make it a 19-9 lead and LaLonde followed her with a three of her own to make it a 22-19 lead. The Highlanders were held scoreless over the final two and a half minutes but were able to bring a 22-13 lead into the second quarter.

Radford was held scoreless over the first three minutes of the second quarter, but Birkhead broke that cold spell with yet another three-pointer. Presbyterian mounted a 10-0 run over four minutes to make it just a one-point game with just over two minutes to play in the half. Presbyterian then tied the game a minute later, but the Highlanders were able to gain some separation before halftime as McClean hit two big free throws and Marshall drained a half court buzzer beater.

The two squads continued to trade punch for punch with each other in a back-and-forth affair in the second half. It was Birkhead once again who broke an almost five-minute cold spell for the Highlanders with her fourth three of the game to give Radford a 38-35 lead. The Blue Hose used free throw shooting to take a 41-40 lead, however, and would hold that lead into the fourth quarter.

LaLonde provided four quick points for Radford early in the fourth quarter as the sprint to the finish began. Another Birkhead three tied the game at 50-all. Two Jackie Christ layups and another Birkhead three tied the game once again at 57-all. Turnovers hurt the Highlanders down the stretch and Presbyterian took advantage with two buckets to seal up the 61-57 win.

The senior Birkhead had a big scoring day, her best as a Highlander, with 20 points on six made three-pointers. LaLonde secured her second double-double on the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds while Marshall was the third and final Highlander with double digit points finishing with 10. Marshall and Birkhead both led the team in assists with four. The Highlanders out rebounded the Blue Hose by eight, pulling down 42 in total.

NEXT UP
The regular season has been completed with the Highlanders competing in all 29 of their scheduled games. The program's attention now turns to the postseason and Charlotte, N.C. for the first round of the Big South Tournament next Tuesday, March 1st.
 
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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