Highlanders Coast to 87-37 Win Over Southern Virginia

Radford, Va. - Jesse Brunjak's (Ooltewah, Tenn.) 17 points led four players in double figures as Radford University cruised to a 87-37 win over Southern Virginia tonight at the Dedmon Center. The Highlanders jumped out to a 14-2 lead and never looked back as their 50-point margin of victory was the third highest in Dedmon Center history.

After jumping out to the early lead, the Highlanders could not put away the Lady Knights as they stayed in the game, getting the lead down to eight at one point. After Sarah Swapp hit a jumper with 7:02 left to make the score 27-16 Radford, the Highlanders put the game out of reach with a 33-1. That run saw RU scored 28 straight points, including the final 22 of the first half.

In that half, the Highlanders shot 60.6 percent from the field, while holding the Lady Knights to 28.6 percent. Brunjak led the charge with 10 points and career-high four assists, while Brandy Allen (Roanoke, Va.) added nine points.

The second half was a continuation of the first as the Highlanders saw their lead increase to as many as 55 points with 3:27 left in the game. Radford shot 52.2 percent for the game, dished out 26 assists, forced 22 turnovers and made 12 steals. They also outrebounded the Lady Knights 47-24 and held them to 29.8 percent shooting.

Allen finished the game with 10 points, while Amanda Neby (Plymouth, Minn.) posted 12 points, seven boards and a career-best five assists. Ludmila Nicheporchuk (Minsk, Belarus) chipped in with 11 points, while Holly Sharkey (Westminster, Colo.) and Sherri Rickman (Roanoke, Va.) added eight points and seven boards apiece. Sharkey dished out a game and career-high six assists.

The Highlanders will travel to Cullowhee, N.C. on Thursday to face Western Carolina at noon.

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