University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Radford
Bulldogs Hold Off Radford to Stay Atop Big South Standings
01.30.2016 | Women's Basketball
THE RUNDOWN
Score: Asheville 54 – Radford 46
Teams: Asheville (16-4, 9-2 BSC)
Radford University (10-10, 6-5 BSC)
Location: Dedmon Center/ Radford, Va.
RADFORD– The UNC Asheville Women's Basketball team came back from an 11-point deficit to defeat the Radford Highlanders in the Dedmon Center to move to a 9-2 mark, and stay on top of the Big South Conference standings.
THE TURNING POINT
Asheville trailed for the majority of the game following an initial 4-2 lead over the Highlanders. The Bulldogs tied the game up at 42 with 6:03 left to play in the fourth quarter after a layup from Tiffany Wilson. The Bulldogs took at 43-42 lead off of a free throw from Chatori Major. The Bulldogs would hold the lead for the remainder of the game.
NOTABLES
-The Bulldogs shot 35.8 percent as a team, just slightly more efficient than the Highlanders 35.2 percent. Asheville had three Bulldogs in double figures. Chatori Major, Tianna Knuckles and Khaila Webb each contributed 13 points to the Bulldogs' eight-point win. Major and Webb were Asheville's most efficient offensive weapons, each shooting 50 percent from the floor.
- Asheville rose to the challenge in the battle of the boards with the number one rebounding team in the Big South. Asheville and Radford were dead even off the glass, pulling down 35 rebounds each. The Bulldogs and the Highlanders also had 11 offensive rebounds and 24 defensive rebounds apiece. K.J. Weaver led the Bulldogs' rebounding effort with six.
-The Bulldogs outscored the Highlanders in points in the paint (30-24), fast break points (15-8), second chance points (11-10) and bench points (11-10).
- Asheville and Radford each hit 19 shots from the field. The Bulldogs got a boost at the free throw line, knocking down 12-of-14 free throws while Radford went four-of-five from the line.
-The Bulldogs forced 21 Highlander turnovers, which they turned into 18 points. Radford collected nine points from 16 Asheville turnovers.
QUOTABLES FROM HEAD COACH BRENDA MOCK KIRKPATRICK
On the Win-"Last night after practice I told the team that we are going to have to play tough and learn how to win ugly. I knew this game was going to be tough because of Radford's defensive and rebounding abilities. They are a very good team. They were outplaying us in some areas, and they made it tough for us to score. We did a good job of not fouling and staying focused on the possessions rather than the score when we got down by eleven points.”
On finishing the game- “The play of the game had to be when Tiffany Wilson laid out for an offensive rebound and saved a crucial offensive possession for us down the stretch. She inspired everyone, including myself, to give a little more, and they did.”
UP NEXT
-Following today's win, Asheville will travel to Rock Hill, S.C. as they take on Winthrop on February 1, at 7:00 p.m. for the second time this season. The Bulldogs took the first meeting between the two teams earlier this season, defeating the Eagles 63-55 on December 29.
