Highlanders Eight-Game Streak Halted at UNC Asheville, 55-52

ASHEVILLE, N.C. . - Despite a valiant comeback attempt, Radford's eight-game winning streak came to end at the hands of UNC Asheville, 55-52, tonight from the Justice Center. Senior Taryn Causey (Collierville, Tenn.) led all scorers with 23 points, shooting a school record 12-12 from the line. Velinda Vuncannon topped the Bulldogs with 12 points and eight rebounds.

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The Highlanders trailed 51-41 with 3:17 remaining and reeled off nine straight points, six points by Causey, to cut the deficit to one with 45 seconds to go, but Ashton Barton hit a huge three from the corner with 20 seconds left to put UNCA up 54-50. After a pair of Jesse Brunjak (Ooltewah, Tenn.) freebees cut the lead to 54-52 at 14 seconds, Vuncannon made the first free throw but missed the second, giving the Highs an opportunity to tie the game. But, on the next possession Kristal Hood stole the ball and was fouled with an opportunity to ice the game with 2.5 seconds on the clock. She missed the front end of the bonus and Causey’s 60-foot heave hit the back iron and fell to the floor.

Despite shooting just 28.6 percent in the first half, Radford was able to take a 25-21 lead into halftime as it hit 8-of11 free throws and held a 23-17 rebounding advantage. After a back-and-forth play in the first 10 minutes, the Highs used a 9-2 run to break an 11-11 tie and take a 20-13 lead after freshman Kelli Darden’s (Chesapeake, Va.) freebee at the 8:14 mark. RU was able to hold off a pair of UNCA rallies to maintain the first half advantage. Causey led the Highs with seven points, while Bulldog Amanda Elder led all scorers with nine.

Darden and freshman Ashley Thomas (Jessup, Md.) chipped in with eight and six points apiece for RU. Darden continued her dominance in the paint, blocking five shots, giving her 34 on the season, which ties her for seventh in a single season.

Radford outrebounded UNCA, 43-39 with Brunjak pulling down a team a game best eight.

Radford’s next contest will be on Saturday, Jan. 29 at eight-time defending champion Liberty (12-5, 4-0 Big South). Tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm.