Highlanders Cruise to 86-57 Win Over Savannah State in First Round of Subway Classic

Minneapolis, Minn. - Amanda Neby (Plymouth, Minn.) made her return to Minnesota a memorable one as she tallied a double-double with a career high 23 points and 10 rebounds to help Radford University to a 86-57 victory over Savannah State in the first round of the Subway Classic at Williams Arena. The win also made head coach Jeri Porter's debut a successful one.

Sherri Rickman also posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Ludmila Nicheporchuk (Minsk, Belarus) and Jesse Brunjak (Ooltewah, Tenn.) also notched double figures with 13 and 11 points respectively. Brunjack also corralled a career best eight boards.

The Highlanders broke open a 16-11 game with 19-4 run, sparked by eight points from Neby, giving them a 35-15 lead with 4:11 left in the first half. They would take a 47-19 into the half behind 14 and 11 points from Neby and Nicheporchuk.

It was much of the same in the second half as the lead never dipped below 24 points and 37 points on three occasions. The margin of victory (29 points) was the largest for the Highlanders since Jan. 25, 1996 when they defeated Liberty, 104-52. (box score)

Brandy Allen (Roanoke, Va.) chipped in with eight points and five rebounds, while Cody Silker (Fairmont, Minn.) added six points and a team high five assists.

The Tigers also had four players in double figures led by Tiffany Stephens 17 point, 12 rebound double-double. Kewand Walker added 12, while Renee Williams and Crystal Martin scored 10 apiece.

Radford will play host school Minnesota in the Subway Classic Championship game at 7 p.m. tomorrow.