RADFORD, Va. – The Highlanders return to the Dedmon Center for their first official home game of the season, playing host to the Division II Emory & Henry Wasps this Thursday.
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Emory & Henry (SAC)
Date/Time: Thursday, November 10th at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center (Radford, Va.)
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SERIES HISTORY
The Highlanders and Wasps have met eight times during the regular season with the first meeting coming all the way back in 1976. Radford has won all eight meetings between the two squads, averaging 76 points per game in those matchups. The two squads met last year in a preseason exhibition, but last met in the regular season during 2013 where Radford won handily 74-38.
SCOUTING THE WASPS
Emory & Henry will be playing their first game of the 2022-23 season when they visit the Dedmon Center on Thursday. Head coach Jaclyn Dickens returns to the helm of the program for a fourth season and returns her top-scorer from last season in Emma Santoro. Santoro averaged 10 points per game in her freshman season while playing 25 minutes per contest.
UPSET ALERT AT KENTUCKY
Earlier this week, Radford opened their season on the road at Kentucky and flirted with upsetting the reigning SEC Tournament champions. The team used some hot shooting and never gave up despite trailing by as much as 17 late in the third quarter to fight back to just a four-point deficit by the game’s end. Rachel LaLonde and Carmen Williams led the team combining for 36 points while Ashlyn Traylor and Olivia Wagner also had impressive collegiate debuts.
SETTING CAREER HIGHS
LaLonde and Williams wasted no time this season to setting or tying their career-highs in points in a single game. LaLonde’s 20 points last Monday were a single-game career high for the senior and is the first Highlander to reach 20+ points since Bridget Birkhead did it last season against Gardner-Webb. Williams also had a great shooting night scoring 16 points which ties a single-game career high. Williams was clutch down the stretch against Kentucky, hitting all four free throws she attempted in the closing minutes.
HOT SHOOTING WITH ROOM TO GROW
Radford as a team shot an incredible 54% in their season opener, making 30 of their 56 shots from the field. The Highlanders also made seven three-pointers which was good for a 39% shooting percentage on the night. While those two numbers are impressive, Radford struggled from the free throw line going 11-17 on the night at 65% clip. With the close finish against Kentucky, securing free throws when awarded will be key to making sure the offense fires at full force.
FOLLOW RADFORD WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
To follow the Radford women’s basketball team throughout the season, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @Radford_WBB on Twitter, ‘radford_wbb’ Instagram or Radford Women’s Basketball on Facebook.
