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Women's Basketball

Highlanders and Bulldogs Battle to Begin Basketball Twin Bill

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's basketball team puts their winning streak on the line with a matchup against Big South foe UNC Asheville. Due to the approaching winter storm, the contest has been moved up to Friday, January 23 at 4:30 p.m. in the Dedmon Center. The men's basketball game will follow at 7:00 p.m.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: UNC Asheville Bulldogs (8-12, 3-4 BSC)
Date/Time: Friday, January 23rd at 4:30 p.m.
Location: Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center, Radford, Va.
 
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KEY STORYLINES
Last Time Out: The Highlanders turned in one of their strongest performances of the season in a 78-63 win over in-state rival Longwood on Wednesday night. The offense was clicking on all cylinders, as the Highlanders shot better than 50 percent (.508) from the field. Junior Joi Williams missed just two shots, sinking five three-pointers to lead all scorers with 23 points. The Highlander defense also held Longwood's starting five to just 22 points. The triumph pushes Radford to a tie for second in the Big South.
 
In the Details: The victory improved the Highlanders to 4-2 in Big South play…8-2 at the Dedmon Center…6-5 coming off a win…4-0 in games decided by 11-20 points …10-2 when leading at half…7-0 when shooting better than 40 percent…9-0 when outrebounding their opponent…6-0 when scoring 70+ points…11-3 when holding their opponents under 70 points…10-1 when having more free throw attempts.
 
A Look Back: This is the 91st meeting all-time. The two programs first met in 1986. The Highlanders control the series 62-28. Radford has won four straight against UNC Asheville, with the Bulldogs last win coming on February 15, 2023 in North Carolina. Radford is 17-11 against the Bulldogs in the Mike McGuire era (since 2013-14). The Highlanders held UNC Asheville to just 39 points in their last matchup in a 63-39 triumph on February 19, 2025.
 
A Joi(ous) Occasion: Joi Williams was in her element early and helped share the basketball in the win against Longwood. She had 18 of her game-high 23 points in the first half. It was her third-straight game hitting at least four three-pointers, sinking five on Wednesday. She is the lone Highlander to average over 10+ points a game (13.0). The junior is currently fifth on the Radford all-time 3-pt field goals made list with 150 made. She trails fourth place Ashley Buckhannon (2009-13) by eight field goals. Williams also has 859 career points, 141 short of reaching 1,000 career points. Radford is 7-2 when Williams makes at least three trifectas.
 
Defensive Mindset: The Radford defense has come up strong in Big South play. The Highlanders rank second in opponent field goal percentage at .351, second in blocked shots at 3.33 per game, and third in points allowed at 56.5. Opponents are averaging just 54.4 points per game in the Dedmon Center this season.
 
Georgia on my Mind: Georgia Simonsen was busy in the paint on Wednesday and scored a new career high with 18 points. She also continued to swat shots, adding three blocks in the win. Simonsen continues to lead the Big South with 24 blocks.
 
Scouting UNC Asheville: The Bulldogs enter the game on a win streak, having taken their last two contests. They beat Presbyterian 64-53 in Clinton on January 17, then followed that up with a one-point triumph over USC Upstate in Ashville, 57-56, on Wednesday evening. UNC Ashville has the second-lowest free throw percentage in the Big South at .577, and made just 6-of-12 in Wednesday night's win. They also have the second-best rebounding margin at 6.0 in the Big South, limiting opponents to just 35 rebounds a game. Incoming transfer from Morgan State Nia Green leads the Bulldogs with 14.1 points a game. The sophomore has shot only one three-pointer this season but shoots just below a 50 percent clip.
 
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.
 
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Players Mentioned

Joi Williams

#4 Joi Williams

G
5' 6"
Junior
Georgia Simonsen

#23 Georgia Simonsen

F
6' 1"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Joi Williams

#4 Joi Williams

5' 6"
Junior
G
Georgia Simonsen

#23 Georgia Simonsen

6' 1"
Freshman
F