Highlanders Stumble In Loss To Jackson State

RICHMOND, Ky. -- Radford fell behind early and were unable to get back into the game, falling to Jackson State 53-47 in the consolation game at the Comfort Suites Tip-Off Classic hosted by Eastern Kentucky. The Highlanders never found a groove as they shot just 28 percent from the field and turned the ball over 17 times, 12 in the first half. (Box Score)

Jackson State’s Carena Easley led all scorers with 16 points. Shelita Burns posted a double double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Shante Stanford chipped in with 10 points and six boards. RU was led by a pair of freshmen. Serena White (Raleigh, N.C.) posted a team high nine points, while Corrie Fertitta (Roanoke, Va.) corralled a game high 15 rebounds to go along with seven points.

Jackson State came out of the gates quickly grabbing an 8-0 lead 17:48 into the game and 14-4 with 13:45 to go. After White cut the lead to 14-7 with a three, the Lady Tigers went on another 8-0 spurt to push their lead to 22-7. The Highlanders were able to cut the lead to 11 at 28-17 but JSU forced some of RU’s 12 first half turnovers and pushed its advantage to 36-17 at the 4:37 mark. RU scored the final eight points to get within 11 at the break.

The Lady Tigers, who at one point was shooting around 65 percent, finished the half at 53 percent. They were led by Easley’s 10 points. White led RU at the break with six points. RU shot just 37 percent.

Both teams got off to a slow start in the second half, each scoring four points in the first 13:55. The Highlanders cut the lead to eight after a three-point play by senior Taryn Causey (Collierville, Tenn.). Radford had a three possessions to cut further into the JSU lead but were unable to convert its opportunities. Then the Lady Tigers pushed the lead back out to 12 as the Highlanders went scoreless over a 4:24 span.

Radford made one last push, cutting the lead to five (52-47) on a three from Fertitta, but the Lady Tigers held on in the final seconds for the victory. JSU shot 41.1 percent for the game, while the Highlanders held a 45-38 advantage on the boards. Sophomore Sarah Stephens (Hampton, Va.) had nine of those rebounds.

Senior Jesse Brunjak (Ooltewah, Tenn.) was named to the All-Tournament team for Radford. She averaged 10 points, four rebounds and two assists in the two games.

The Highlanders will be off until Tuesday, Nov. 30 when they host Virginia Commonwealth in their home opener at 7 p.m.