Women's Basketball 1/23/2024 11:00:00 AM

Women’s Basketball Starts Homestand with UNC Asheville Wednesday

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's basketball program is back home for an exciting week inside the Dedmon Center with action tipping off Wednesday night against UNC Asheville.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: UNC Asheville Bulldogs (7-11, 1-4 Big South)
Date/Time: Wednesday, Jan. 24th at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Radford, Va. – Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center

FOLLOW THE ACTION
TV: ESPN+
Streaming: CLICK HERE
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Radio: CLICK HERE or on WRAD 1460 AM / 103.5 FM
GET TICKETS HERE

SUSTAINABILITY NIGHT
Wednesday night's game will be in partnership with Radford University's Sustainability Office on campus. The campus group will be running a giveaway including a pair of metal straws, straw cleaner and Radford branded travel box. The sustainability office is committed to integrating sustainable practices into all aspects of university operations and engaging students across the curriculum. Sustainability strives to create a more resilient and sustainable campus environment and to provide an educational environment and the tools to address the social, economic, and environmental issues confronting our region, nation, and the world.

SERIES HISTORY
Radford and UNC Asheville have a deep Big South history with each other dating all the way back to 1987. Wednesday will mark the 87th meeting between the two teams with Radford owning a 59-27 lead in the series history. It's been a back-and-forth affair over the four years with Radford winning four of the last seven. In last season's Dedmon Center edition of the battle, Radford won convincingly 69-42 to start conference play behind 15 points from Wagner.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
It's been a rough start to the conference schedule for the Bulldogs who have won just one of their first five games after going 6-5 during the nonconference portion of their schedule. After dropping their first three games to USC Upstate, Presbyterian and High Point, UNC Asheville has seen a turn as of late after defeating Longwood 69-61 and falling just short in overtime against Winthrop.

UNC Asheville owns the conference's best defense so far holding opponents to an average 57.5 pgg. The Bulldogs have combined the shoot a modest 36% overall but have struggled from three-point range at 24%. Senior guard McKinley Brooks-Sumpter leads the scoring efforts averaging 13.3 ppg with junior guard Lalmani Simmons also scoring 11.3 ppg.

HOME HIGHLIGHTS
Radford comes into this week's duo of Dedmon clashes with a 2-0 record against Big South teams at home. Those two wins came first over Longwood (64-59) and most recently over Winthrop (63-55). In home conference games five Highlanders are averaging over six points a game including Olivia Wagner (17.0 ppg), Ashlyn Traylor-Walker (11.5 ppg), Taniya Hanner (9.0 ppg), Pa'Shence Traylor-Walker (8.5 ppg) and Joi Williams (6.5 ppg).

STANDINGS UPDATE
Now over a quarter of the way through the conference schedule, Radford sits tied for first with two other teams in the conference standings with a 4-1 record. High Point and USC Upstate make up the other two 4-1 squads with the six remaining conference schools holding a 3-3 or worse record. Radford's two opponents this week feature UNC Asheville (1-4, tied for ninth) and Presbyterian (3-3, tied for fourth).

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

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

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

#4 Joi Williams: G; 5' 5"; Freshman

#1 Pa'Shence Traylor-Walker: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#22 Taniya Hanner: F; 6' 1"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

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

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

#4 Joi Williams
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: G

#1 Pa'Shence Traylor-Walker
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#22 Taniya Hanner
: 6' 1"; Graduate Student
: F