Women's Basketball 1/13/2023 11:00:00 AM

Women’s Basketball Looks to Stay Hot at Charleston Southern Saturday

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's basketball program looks to keep its hot shooting rolling into their next Big South contest this Saturday, January 14th, against Charleston Southern.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Charleston Southern (2-14, 0-5 Big South)
Date/Time: Saturday, January 14th at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Buccaneer Fieldhouse (Charleston, S.C.)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Watch Live on ESPN+
Listen Live with Tom Purvis on WRAD 1460 AM / 103.5 FM
Get Updates with Live Stats

SERIES HISTORY
The Highlanders and Buccaneers are founding members of the Big South and so have a deep history with each other in 78 meetings. Radford owns a decisive lead in the series history 59-19 and has won the last ten meetings. Three of those victories came in overtime and just last season in the lone meeting between the two squads Radford staved off a late push by the Buccaneers to win 56-52.

In that match-up during the 2021-22 season, Radford was short handed but used a trio of three-pointers by graduate Bridget Birkhead to hold on and win. Jackie Christ and Vanessa Blake both had eight points while Carmen Williams also supplied two assists, two steals and five points in the contest.

SCOUTING THE BUCCANEERS
Charleston Southern comes into Saturday's meeting on a ten-game losing streak, but that number is a tad misleading as the Buccaneers have played some competitive games as of late. All four of the Buccaneers last games came down to the final quarter of play including their last time out at High Point where the Buccaneers fell victim to a huge comeback by the Panthers.

Catherine Alben leads the scoring efforts for the Buccaneers with 10.1 ppg, coming off the bench in all but one of their 16 games. Kennedi Jackson is a name to be aware of as well. Jackson, an Oklahoma State transfer, has averaged 8.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg this season and has scored 15 or more points in three of five Big South games so far.

SEASON-BEST FROM THREE
Radford's nine three-pointers against Winthrop last time out tied a season-high for the Highlanders previously set against Bluefield State. Carmen Williams, Rachel LaLonde and Olivia Wagner all had two three-pointers while Ashlyn Traylor, Trinity Klock and Ashley Panem all had deep makes. Panem's three-pointer made it nine straight games for the junior with at least one three-pointer made.

BACK-TO-BACK OVER 70
Radford has now scored over 70 points in back-to-back games after scoring over 70 just once before Big South play. The offense found its stride in the Dedmon Center to the tune of 70 points against Gardner-Webb and 74 points against Winthrop. The Highlanders are shooting 51% over the last two games including 13 three-pointers and a 25-34 shooting clip from the free throw line.

NEW STEALS LEADER
With 11 steals over her last three games, Olivia Wagner has now taken the team-lead for steals this season with 30 to her name. The freshman has been a nuisance for opposing offenses as she recorded three steals against USC Upstate and Winthrop and a career-best five steals against Gardner-Webb. Wagner has also scored 25 points, six rebounds and seven assists over that three-game span.

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.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#3 Bridget Birkhead: G; 5' 11"; Senior

#14 Vanessa Blake: C; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#50 Jackie Christ: C; 6' 3"; Senior

#0 Rachel LaLonde: F; 6' 1"; Senior

#23 Carmen Williams: G; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#11 Ashlyn Traylor-Walker: G; 5' 8"; Freshman

#24 Trinity Klock: F; 6' 0"; Junior

#5 Olivia Wagner: G; 5' 7"; Freshman

#12 Ashley Panem: G; 5' 10"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#3 Bridget Birkhead
: 5' 11"; Senior
: G

#14 Vanessa Blake
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: C

#50 Jackie Christ
: 6' 3"; Senior
: C

#0 Rachel LaLonde
: 6' 1"; Senior
: F

#23 Carmen Williams
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: G

#11 Ashlyn Traylor-Walker
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: G

#24 Trinity Klock
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

#5 Olivia Wagner
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: G

#12 Ashley Panem
: 5' 10"; Junior
: G