Radford women have home win streak snapped

UNC Asheville 67 Radford 56

RADFORD, Va. – Courtesy: Radford Athletics

 Radford had its 21-game home winning streak snapped in a rematch of the 2017 Big South Championship game as UNC Asheville outscored the Highlanders 44-27 in the second half for a 67-56 victory in the title game rematch.
 
The Highlanders entered the game with the nation's third longest home winning streak, needing only one win to set a new program record and inch closer to the Big South record of 24 straight.
 
Radford's last loss inside the Dedmon Center came on Jan. 30, 2016 by none other than UNC Asheville in a 54-46 decision. The Highlanders have not lost back-to-back conference games since Jan 26-30 of that same season.  
 
Led by a hot shooting second quarter of 53.3 percent, Radford went into the locker room leading 29-23 as Destinee Walker scored eight of her team-high 14 points, while the Highlanders made 4 of 8 behind the arc.
 
The Highlanders went cold from the floor only making 2 of 9 attempts, while UNC Asheville outscored Radford 20-8 in the quarter, highlighted by a 10-1 run to take its first lead of the game 43-37 at the end of the quarter.
 
Jen Falconer opened the fourth quarter with her second 3-pointer as four points (41-37) would be as close the Highlanders would get within the Bulldogs.
 
UNC Asheville made 11 of 16 free throws to go along with a 6 of 9 showing from the field in the final quarter to outscore Radford 24-19, snapping the Highlanders home winning streak.
 
INSIDE THE BOX

  • Radford is now 7-1 on the season when leading at the half.
  • In the last 48 games inside the Dedmon Center, that marked only the ninth loss during that span.
  • Destinee Walker tallied her eighth double-figure game on the season
  • Jen Falconer finished with 10 points, going 4 for 5 from the field for her sixth career double-digit game and first since the season opener.
  • Jayda Worthy finished with four of Radford's 12 assists.
  • Lydia Rivers tallied three blocks for her fourth game with three-plus blocks.
  • The Highlanders went 9 for 11 from the charity stripe as Janayla White and Walker combined to go 8 for 10.
  • Radford finished with a season low 23 rebounds, only grabbing four offensive rebounds.
  • UNC Asheville scored 17 points off 14 Radford miscues.
  • The Bulldogs turned 11 offensive rebounds into 10 second-chance points.
  • Khaila Webb poured in a game-high 20 points for the Bulldogs, while Jessica Wall scored 11 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter.

 
QUOTEABLE

  • "I thought the third quarter push and intensity by UNC Asheville was really impressive. We didn't respond to it. Once they set the tone for the second half, they essentially controlled the rest of the game. I can't remember the last time we gave up 44 second half points on our floor. You have to credit UNC Asheville for that, because they put the foot on the gas and really took it to us." ~ Radford head coach Mike McGuire

 
UP NEXT

  • Radford hits the road for its second straight Big South Saturday road contest as the Highlanders travel to Charleston Southern for a 3 p.m. contest.
  • The Highlanders hold a 50-19 edge in the all-time series with a 19-13 clip coming on the road.
  • Meeting three times during the 2016-17 season, Radford went 2-1.
  • Charleston Southern snapped a five-game skid to Radford with a 57-45 decision inside the Buc Dome on Jan. 21, 2017.