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Women's Basketball

Women’s Basketball Set to Battle USC Upstate on Wednesday

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's basketball team hits the road for the first time in over a week for their first game against USC Upstate this season. The 13-9 Highlanders look for their fifth straight win, while the 6-15 Spartans are still looking for their second league victory.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: USC Upstate Spartans (6-15, 1-6 BSC)
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 28th at 7:00 p.m.
Location: G.B. Hodge Center, Spartanburg, S.C.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Listen to All Games Live on WRAD AM 1460
Watch on ESPN+
Follow Live Stats Here
 
KEY STORYLINES
Last Time Out: The Highlanders survived a late UNC Asheville rally for their fourth straight win last Friday at the Dedmon Center. Leading by 14 points after three, UNC Asheville managed to get the deficit to one point before a Joi Williams three-point play made it a two-possession game with just under five minutes remaining. The Highlanders managed to close out the game and win by 12.
 
In the Details: The victory improved the Highlanders to 5-2 in Big South play…9-2 at the Dedmon Center…7-5 coming off a win…5-0 in games decided by 11-20 points …11-2 when leading at half…8-0 when shooting better than 40 percent…11-1 when shooting more free throws than their opponent…11-2 when scoring 60+ points…12-3 when holding their opponents under 70 points.
 
A Look Back: This is the 18th meeting all-time. The two programs first met in 2008. The Highlanders control the series 13-4. Radford has won four straight against USC Upstate, with the Spartans last win coming on January 20, 2024, in South Carolina. Radford is 11-3 against the Bulldogs in the Mike McGuire era (since 2013-14). The Highlanders left Spartanburg with a 65-59 win over USC Upstate in their last meeting on February 1, 2025.
 
Big South, Big Awards: On Monday, Joi Williams and Georgia Simonsen were recognized with Big South weekly awards. Williams was named the Player of the Week for the second time this season, while Simonsen received the Co-Freshman of the Week.
 
A Joi(ous) Occasion: Joi Williams continued her domination on the court, scoring a team-high 21 points in Radford's 64-52 win over UNC Asheville. She became the first Radford player to score 20+ points in consecutive games since Destinee Walker during the 2018-19 season. Williams is also the lone Highlander to average over 10+ points a game (13.4). The junior is currently fifth on the Radford all-time 3-pt field goals made list with 152 made. She trails fourth place Ashley Buckhannon (2009-13) by six field goals. Williams also has 880 career points, 120 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 3.57 per game, and second in points allowed at 55.9 counting conference games in the Big South.
 
Georgia on my Mind: Georgia Simonsen had a stellar homestand, setting a new career high with 18 points in the win vs. Longwood and was back in double figures with 10 points and six rebounds against UNC Asheville on Friday. The freshman is also the best blocker in the conference, averaging 1.2 blocks a game with a conference best 26.
 
Scouting USC Upstate: The Spartans have gotten off to a slow start in Big South play, with their only win coming against Presbyterian. They are led offensively by redshirt sophomore Cassie Gallagher who averages 15.4 points a contest. She's also active behind the arc, shooting at an impressive .419 clip from deep. The boards will be a key, as USC Upstate leads the Big South in rebounding with 41.1 a game.
 
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