Women's Basketball 2/7/2023 11:00:00 AM

Women’s Basketball Prepares for Road Battle at Gardner-Webb Wednesday

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's basketball faces a big opportunity this week as they'll hit the road to take on the Big South leaders, and undefeated in the conference standings, Gardner-Webb Wednesday night.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Gardner-Webb (20-4, 12-0 Big South)
Date/Time: Wednesday, February 8th at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Paul Porter Arena (Boiling Springs, N.C.)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
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SERIES HISTORY
The Highlanders and Runnin' Bulldogs will meet for the 24th time this Wednesday with Radford owning a 19-13 series edge. Gardner-Webb has won the last three meetings, but Radford came just a couple shots away from upsetting the Runnin' Bulldogs earlier this season.

Inside the Dedmon Center back on January 7th, Radford overcame an early deficit and stormed all the way back to briefly take a lead in the fourth quarter. Gardner-Webb leaned on their senior leadership and pulled out the win at the free throw line 74-70. Five players hit doubles figures for Radford in the game including Rachel LaLonde, Olivia Wagner, Vanessa Blake, Ashlyn Traylor and Carmen Williams.

SCOUTING THE RUNNIN' BULLDOGS
Gardner-Webb comes into Wednesday's game leading the conference standings with a trio of players lighting up the statistic leaderboards as well. Front-runner for conference player of the year Jhessyka Williams averages a double-double with 18.3 ppg and 10.0 rpg. Lauren Bevis leads the conference in free throw and three-point shooting and also averages 14.9 ppg. Ki'Ari Cain also leads the conference in minutes per game (35.0) and steals (93 on the season).

The Bulldogs have forced opponents into 22 turnovers a game, but have had their own issues with turnovers averaging over 16 on the season. The offense is nothing to scoff at, averaging a conference-best 76.7 ppg. While no opponent has come into Paul Porter Arena and knocked off the Runnin' Bulldogs, teams have come close. Campbell, who the Highlanders own a victory over from earlier this season, fell on a last-second shot back on January 4th. High Point, Presbyterian and Longwood all also played close contests proving that this tall task isn't entirely insurmountable.

BOUNCING BACK
Radford will try and do something Wednesday night that they've done great with all season – bouncing back after a tough defeat. Throughout the 2022-23 season, Radford has responded well to adversity from a game-to-game basis. Coming off a loss the team has six victories this season. The most recent example dates back a couple weeks ago when the team suffered a pair of road losses. Radford didn't give in, turned it around, and picked up two key victories over teams surrounding them in the conference standings.

TAKING ADVANTAGE FROM THE OFFENSIVE END
Radford has a key advantage over Gardner-Webb this week. Defense. The Highlanders rank third in the conference defensively holding opponents to just 61.4 ppg while the Runnin' Bulldogs rank just eighth and are giving up 67.8 ppg. Both teams rank inside the top-three of the conference for steals with both averaging over eight a game. A clean turnover margin and taking advantage when opportunities arise can pave the road to success for Radford in hostile territory this Wednesday.

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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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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