University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
5-9, 2-1BSC
Radford
8-6, 1-2BSC
Bulldogs Knock Off Preseason Big South Favorite Radford 67-56 In Virginia
01.09.2018 | Women's Basketball
RADFORD, Va. – To end Radford's 21-game home winning streak, the UNC Asheville women's basketball team came roaring back on Tuesday as they out-scored the Big South Conference Preseason favorite 44-27 in the second half to down the Highlanders 67-56 in a rematch of last year's title game.
BULLDOG BITES
Game Highlights
Neither team could muster any momentum early in the game as the two teams combined for just 20 points in the first ten minutes of play. At the end of the first stanza, the Highlanders held a narrow 11-9 advantage on the Bulldogs.
In the second quarter, the two teams went back-and-forth as there were four ties in the quarter alone. Radford continued to hold a narrow edge all the way to halftime as its lead only got as high as six points (29-23) late in the first half.
The Bulldogs didn't shoot well in the first 20 minutes of action as they were 9-for-28 from the field (.321 percent) including 1-for-5 on three-point opportunities. However, they did dominate the boards, which led to an eight-rebound advantage and seven second-chance points.
As they have been doing in the last five games, the Bulldogs started the second half red-hot which led to a 20-8 advantage in the stanza. Midway through the quarter, the Bulldogs pulled the deficit to only a point after Bronaza Fitzgerald knocked down two free throws. The Highlanders responded with two points of their own, but the Bulldogs dominated the final four and a half minutes as they went on a 10-1 run to conclude the quarter.
With its second lead of the game, the Bulldogs never looked back as they out-scored the Highlanders 24-19 in the final 10 minutes. Behind a 6-0 run in a minute span, the Bulldogs pushed its lead to 11 (53-42). Radford couldn't find momentum late as UNC Asheville matched the Highlanders in the final three and a half minutes to seal the 67-56 victory and its second Big South victory of the season.
After out-scoring Radford in the second half, it marked the third time in the last four games the Bulldogs have out-scored the opposition in the final 20 minutes.
Radford was only one win away from matching a program record for consecutive home victories, but the Bulldogs ended the 21-game home win stretch with an 11-point road victory. The last time the Highlanders lost at home was on Jan. 30, 2016 to Asheville, 54-46.
Khaila Webb set season highs in both shots made (7) and shots attempted (19) as she paced the Bulldogs with 20 points. It was the eighth time this season Webb led the team in scoring and only the second time this year a Bulldog has scored 20 points or more.
Fitzgerald tallied 13 points as she went 4-for-5 from the field, and the Danville, Va. native also grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the team. The double-double was her fourth this year and the ninth of her career. The senior center also rejected two Highlander shots and tallied a steal in 30 minutes of action.
Jessica Wall totaled 14 points, which was the seventh time the junior guard scored in double-figures this year. She went 2-for-4 behind the three-point arc as she recorded a team-high four assists.
As a team, the Bulldogs made 25 trips to the free-throw line and converted on 17 shots. They shot .471 percent (24-for-51) from the field as they out-rebounded the Highlanders 38-23. It was the third time this year Asheville has won after out-rebounding the opposition.
UNC Asheville moves to 5-9 overall and 2-1 in league play as Radford falls to 8-6 overall and 1-2 in the Big South.
What's Next?
The Bulldogs return home on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. to square off with Longwood inside Kimmel Arena.
