Jen Falconer drives to the basket for Radford University during Sunday’s victory over Appalachian State. Falconer scored 15 points in the contest.
Sparked by a 21-4 run late in the game, Radford placed four players in double-figures as the Highlanders opened the season with a 61-40 victory over Appalachian State, Sunday afternoon inside the Dedmon Center.
Only holding a 36-30 lead after three periods, Radford took a commanding fourth quarter lead after outscoring the Mountaineers 25-10 in the 10-minute period.
Placing four players in double-figures for the first time since March 17, Radford assisted on 20 of its 24 made field goals. The Highlanders only assisted on 20 field goals one time a season ago.
After performing well in Radford’s exhibition, Jen Falconer led the Highlanders with a game-high 15 points on five 3-pointers. In addition, Falconer assisted on four field goals. Jayda Worthy followed with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Finishing with 10 points on a 5 for 7 shooting effort from the floor and corralling 10 rebounds, Janayla White collected her 24th career double-double. Khiana Johnson chipped in 12 points off the bench with two 3-pointers.
Both teams got off to a slow start to start the game as Radford held onto an early lead, but Appalachian State used a 10-3 run to start the second quarter, taking a 17-14 lead with 6:26 remaining in the half.
The Mountaineer lead only lasted for 2:41 as Falconer and Johnson knocked down a pair of shots from behind the arc, following by a Claudia Quevedo layup off a Lydia Rivers’ offensive rebound. The quick run by the Highlanders sent them into the locker room with a 22-18 lead.
Looking to gain breathing room in the third quarter, Radford was unable to separate itself from Appalachian State as the Mountaineers tied the contest on two different occasions.
Radford’s 21-4 run was sparked by one defining moment in the contest as Worthy came up with a loose ball offensive rebound on the floor, finding Falconer for a 3-pointer from the top of the arc with 1:20 remaining in the quarter. The Falconer clutch shot handed Radford a 36-30 lead after three quarters.
Transitional play was key during the late run as Radford turned seven Mountaineer turnovers into eight points. Making 10 of 17 shots for a 58.8 field goal percentage in the period, Worthy tallied nine of her 14 points in the final quarter.
Back-to-back layups from White and Worthy off of Mountaineer turnovers, followed by Falconer’s fifth 3-pointer put the game out of the reach as the Highlanders built a 50-34 lead with just under six minutes left.
Radford’s defense held the Mountaineers to only 10 shots in the fourth period, totaling six steals as the “Dome of Defense” was on full display as the Highlanders collected its 17th straight home win.
With the win, Radford has won six straight home openers inside the Dedmon Center, dating back to 2010. Radford improves to 24-23 all-time in season openers and 3-2 during the Mike McGuire era.
Eight of Radford’s 24 field goals came from downtown as Jen Falconer’s set a new career best with five.
Falconer tallied 15 points for the third time in her career with the last coming against Concord on Dec. 12, 2015, while marking only the second-time Falconer has led the Highlanders in points.
Jayda Worthy’s 14-point effort marks the 46th time in her career that she has scored 10-plus points.
Worthy is now 88 points from becoming the 22nd player in program history with 1,000 points.
Totaling five double-doubles in Radford’s final six games, Janayla White picked up her 24th career double-double.
Scoring double-figures in 13 games a season ago, Khiana Johnson opened her sophomore campaign with 12 points off the bench.
Radford dished out 20 assists for the first time since Jan. 14, 2017 against Longwood.
Four different Highlanders finished with three-plus assists.
Claudia Quevedo finished with five assists, matching a career best.
Falconer followed with four assists, while Destinee Walker and Johnson finished with three each.
Finishing with 42-33 edge on the boards, Radford corralled 16 offensive rebounds, turning them into 13 points.
Bayley Plummer led Appalachian State with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
“It was great to play our first game at home. As the game went on we got progressively better to the fact that in the fourth quarter we were more assertive. I love the fact that we were pushing some tempo in the fourth quarter. We attacked them in the transition and I think that paid off. The girls were more aggressive and had more energy in the fourth quarter, which impacted us a lot. If we play a little lethargic then it changes us offensively quite a bit. I love that we got better and better throughout the game, which resulted in a really strong fourth quarter. That’s what a veteran team should do,” said Radford head coach Mike McGuire
Radford travels to Chapel Hill, N.C., on Thursday to take on North Carolina (0-2) for the first time since Dec. 5, 2012. In the meeting, then No. 21 North Carolina defeated the Highlanders 64-44. The Tar Heels hold a 7-3 edge in the all-time series.
Radford looks for its second win over an Atlantic Coast Conference foe in the last two seasons. The Highlanders defeated Wake Forest 68-60 on Dec. 10, 2016 for McGuire’s first win over a Power 5 foe and the program’s first since 2007.
–RU Athletics
