Women's Basketball 1/2/2026 10:30:00 AM

Women’s Basketball Hosts Charleston Southern in Return to Dedmon

RADFORD, Va. – After a span of 18 days, the Radford Highlanders (9-7) return to the home hardwood for their first game of 2026. They'll welcome Charleston Southern for their first matchup of the season against the Buccaneers in their second conference game on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Charleston Southern Buccaneers (3-11, 1-0 BSC)
Date/Time: Saturday, January 3rd at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center, Radford, Va.

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Purchase Tickets Here
Listen to All Games Live on WRAD AM 1460
Watch on ESPN+
Follow Live Stats Here

KEY STORYLINES
Last Time Out: Radford put away Presbyterian to begin conference play with a dominating performance in a 75-32 win on New Year's Eve. The Highlanders held Presbyterian to shoot just 20.4 percent from the floor (11-54) while also outrebounding the Blue Hose 50-32. The 32 points allowed are the fewest against a Big South opponent since holding Winthrop to 30 on February 17, 2018. Four players finished in double figures with freshman Georgia Simonsen tying her career best with 15 points. Ava Sawi hit a new career high with 10 points off the bench.

In the Details: With the win at Presbyterian, the Highlanders improve to 5-2 coming off a loss…3-3 in games decided by 30+ points…7-1 when leading at half…6-0 when shooting 40 percent or above…7-1 when outshooting their opponent…6-0 when outrebounding their opponent…8-1 when having more free throw attempts…5-0 when scoring 70+ points…3-0 when allowing less than 50 points.

Georgia on my Mind: Georgia Simonsen continued her string of solid performances with another career-tying 15 points at Presbyterian. This comes after she notched her second Big South Freshman of the Week award of the season following two strong performances against Hampton and Virginia Tech. She added her second double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds against Hampton. The Fairfax native followed by tying a career high with 15 points against the Hokies, becoming the first Radford freshman since 2014 to have double figures against Virginia Tech. She is averaging 8.5 points per game and leads the team with 5.9 rebounds per contest. Simonsen also is second in the Big South with 16 blocks.

Just Being Joi: Junior guard Joi Williams had a quieter game with just eight points at Presbyterian, but she allowed others to contribute in the big win. After getting off to a slow start this season, the Big South Preseason All-Conference member is 10th in the conference with 12.1 points per contest. Williams averaged 18.5 points per game across six December games.

Windows are Clean: As a team, Radford has grabbed 40+ rebounds in seven consecutive games, dating back to their contest at Cleveland State on November 29. They lead the conference in rebounds per game in the Big South with 41.6. Radford also ranks second in the Big South in offensive (14.1 per game) and defensive rebounds (27.4 per game) and third in rebounding margin.

Everyone Plays: The Highlanders have used nine different starting lineups in 16 games. Radford's leading scorer has come off the bench in nine games. Ten players are averaging over 10 minutes of action per game, and all 14 players have logged in at least a few minutes this season. Williams is the only player averaging over double digits per contest (12.3), while Georgia Simonsen and Anaiah Jenkins are averaging over five rebounds per game (5.9 and 5.3, respectively).

Milestone Mike: Head Coach Mike McGuire became the first Radford basketball coach and the sixth Big South women's basketball coach to reach 200 career wins after the victory at Hampton, joining Carey Green (440 at Liberty, 1999-2018), Rick Reeves (290 at Liberty [1991-1999] and Gardner-Webb [2008-2018]), Ronny Fisher (232 at Presbyterian [2008-2016] and Campbell [2016-2023]), Wanda Watkins (230 at Campbell 1986-1994 and 2011-2016), and Alan LeForce (228 at Coastal Carolina 1997-2013). He is the fourth coach to get 200 wins at the same institution in the Big South.

Scouting Charleston Southern: The Bucs also enter 1-0 in conference play after picking up the win at home against USC Upstate on New Year's Eve, 60-49. Like Radford, they have played a tough non-conference schedule, with four games against power opponents. Charleston Southern averages around seven points a game less than the Highlanders and allow 13 more points per game. They do tend to shoot more threes, having attempted 399 through 14 games and average nine made per contest. The Bucs are led offensively by junior guard Tyonna Bailey, who is coming off a 28-point performance against USC Upstate.

FOLLOW RADFORD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
To follow the Radford women's basketball team throughout the season, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @Radford_WBB on X, 'radford_wbb' Instagram or Radford Women's Basketball on Facebook.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#11 Ava Sawi: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#4 Joi Williams: G; 5' 6"; Junior

#23 Georgia Simonsen: F; 6' 1"; Freshman

#44 Anaiah Jenkins: F; 6' 0"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#11 Ava Sawi
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#4 Joi Williams
: 5' 6"; Junior
: G

#23 Georgia Simonsen
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: F

#44 Anaiah Jenkins
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F