RU women photo _ The Radford University have clinched at least a share of the Big South regular season title, the first since the 1991-92 season.
In typical Dedmon Center fashion, the battle for the No. 1 seed in next week’s Big South Tournament and a share of the regular season championship came down to the wire. Campbell’s game winning attempt rattled out as time expired, ending Radford’s 25-year regular season championship drought in an emotional 49-48 victory, Monday night.
The victory ensures Radford will be the top seed in the Big South Conference Tournament, while securing a share of the regular season championship, the first since the 1991-92 season. That same season marked the last time Radford headed into the conference tournament as the top seed.
With the win, Radford finished the regular season with a 13-0 record inside the Dedmon Center, marking the first time the Highlanders have gone undefeated at home during the NCAA Division I era.
Radford commanded a 27-24 halftime lead, Jayda Worthy knocked down a transition 3-pointer at the top of the key as Khiana Johnson drove to the free throw line, dishing out to a wide open Worthy.
Radford commanded a 27-24 halftime lead, Jayda Worthy knocked down a transition 3-pointer at the top of the key as Khiana Johnson drove to the free throw line, dishing out to a wide open Worthy.
The Worthy 3-pointer sparked a 16-5 Radford run that continued through the third quarter. After scoring the first four points of the quarter, Radford went quiet from the 7:08 to 3:27 mark. Following the cold spell, Radford caught fire for nine straight points. Back-to-back layups from Worthy pushed the lead to double-digits (39-26) with 1:56 remaining in the third quarter. Janayla White capped off the run with a layup, pushing the lead to 14 points after three quarters.
Destinee Walker scored the opening points of the final quarter, before Campbell made its late run. Six straight points, including four from Summer Price, cut the Radford lead to 42-35 two minutes into the quarter.
After watching its lead slip below double-digits, Radford used a Worthy mid-range jumper and White free throw to push the lead back to 10 points (47-37) with 5:23 left to play.
Campbell saved its best for last as the Fighting Camels fought back and held Radford without a field goal for the final 6:17 of play. Using a 7-0 run, Campbell pulled within 47-44 on a pair of coast-to-coast steals and layups from MaKala Rouse and Hannah Long.
Finishing the game 10 for 14 from the free throw line, White made 2 of 4 free throws in the final two minutes, which proved to be important in the final result.
With just under one minute remaining in the game, Price drained a 3-pointer, cutting the Radford lead to one point. Campbell head coach Ronny Fisher called his last timeout after the field goal.
Looking to burn clock and pad its lead, Radford turned the ball over as Worthy was called for a traveling violation after making a layup, giving Campbell a chance to pull off the comeback win.
Campbell ran through an offensive set as Caroline Bowns received a wide-open look on a short corner jumper. Bowns let go of the ball as soon as the clock hit zeros. In what appeared to be a lifetime as the ball floated in the air; hit front iron, back iron and backboard. The final touch off the backboard forced the ball to rattle out as the Highlanders held on for the 49-48 emotional rollercoaster win.
With the win, Radford moves into sole possession of fourth place all-time for most wins in a season. Since going 7-23 in his first season, Radford head coach Mike McGuire has compiled a 55-34 record.
The Highlanders have played 12 games that have been decided by three points or less since the 2015-16 campaign, holding a 9-3 record in those games.
The 2016-17 squad becomes the fourth Highlander team to win 22 games in a season. The win improves Radford’s home winning streak to 15 games. Radford is 34-8 home games since the 2014-15 season.
Holding its ninth opponent under 50 points, Radford improves to 8-1 in those games. Radford finished one rebound shy of having three players finish with double-doubles.
Destinee Walker led the Highlanders in scoring for the 18th time on the season, finishing with 15 points on 7 of 12 shooting. Walker finished with nine rebounds.
Janayla White followed with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while collecting five of Radford’s six blocks. The five blocks give White 143 in her career, moving her into second all-time in program history.
Jayda Worthy rounded out the Highlanders in double-figures, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds. In five minutes of action off the bench, Rachael Ross made 3 of 4 shots for six first half points.
In only the seventh time on the season, Radford failed to control the paint, but improved to 5-2 in those games.
The Highlanders held a 34-26 advantage on the boards, turning 11 offensive rebounds into 12 points. The score was tied six times, while the lead changed on four different occasions.
“This was a terrific ballgame, between two tough and gritty teams. I hate that someone had to lose that game. Campbell really made us earn everything tonight. It’s hard for me to articulate what this group of girls really mean to us and the program. They have accomplished so much this year and I could not be prouder of them. They worked very hard to clinch a share of the regular season championship. We’re still young in spots as far as game experience, but they have proved that they are competitors. Over the last two weeks of the season, this group has stuck together and learned how to win tough games,” said Radford head coach Mike McGuire.
Radford closes out the 2016-17 regular season schedule this afternoon at High Point. With a win, Radford clinches the outright Big South Regular Season Championship. The Highlanders won the earlier season battle 59-56 on Janurary 17.
Radford closes out the 2016-17 regular season schedule this afternoon at High Point. With a win, Radford clinches the outright Big South Regular Season Championship. The Highlanders won the earlier season battle 59-56 on Janurary 17.
The win improved Radford to 18-26 all-time against the Panthers. In road matchups against High Point, Radford is 5-16.
— Courtesy of RU Athletics
