RADFORD, Va. - Radford University women’s basketball kicked off the Jeri Porter era with a convincing 75-52 victory over Carson-Newman College Saturday night in women’s collegiate exhibition basketball action from the Dedmon Center.
Junior 2001-02 Big South Conference first teammer Amanda Neby (Plymouth, Minn.) tourched the DC nets for a game high 23 points as six Highlander players scored eight or more points in the victory. Neby, grabbed six boards to tie Brandy Allen (Roanoke, Va.) for game high honors on the glass. Allen, Jesse Brunjak (Ooltewah, Tenn.) and Hanna Statsenka (Minsk, Belarus) each added nine points a piece, while Holly Sharkey (Westminster, Colo.) and Kylie Williamson (Ankeny, Iowa) chipped in with eight each in a balanced RU attack.
The Highlanders broke open the contest seven minutes into the contest taking a 42-28 lead into the half. Carson Newman would cut the Highlander lead to four, 47-43 with 12:53 left in the game. However the Highlanders would respond with a 17-to-two run over the next 7:32 to cruise.
Carson Newman received strong performances from Andrea Fitzgerald and Monica Ashburn offensively scoring 16 points apiece. Amanda Jackson had seven points in a losing effort for the Eagles.
The Highlanders open the season in the University of Minnesota/Subway classic in Minneapolis, Minn. November 23-24. The Highlanders meet Savannah State in the first round in the championship/consolation tournament format.
