Campbell defenders apply a double team in the low post.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
RADFORD, VA. – Led by three in double figures, Radford closed the game on a 9-3 burst to hold off Campbell 57-45 in the Big South Championship game Sunday at the Dedmon Center.
The top-seeded Highlanders will head to the NCAA Tournament with a 26-6 overall record, winners of 18 in a row. Campbell, meanwhile is 21-12. The Camels advanced to the title game as the tournament’s No. 6 seed, becoming the third ever Big South program to advance from the first round to the championship game, playing four tourney games.
After Campbell led 12-9 at the end of the first period, Radford outscored the Camels 21-2 in the second quarter, with CU going 1-for-15 from the floor, as Radford took a 30-14 lead into halftime.
Radford picked up its largest lead with 3:56 to go in the third on Savannah Felgemacher’s layup, swelling the Highlander advantage to 19 points.
The Camels answered with a 16-2 run wrapped around the third quarter break, sparked by a pair of Kyra Davis threes and capped by a Luana Serranho driving lay-in, cutting the Radford lead to 45-40 with 7:02 to play.
With a 48-42 RU lead and 5:36 remaining, the Highlanders scored nine straight to hold off the Camels.
Lydia Rivers, named the tournament’s MVP, led the Highlanders with 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Khiana Johnson posted 13 points and two assists. Sydney Nunley also collected 10 points with eight rebounds and four blocks, helping Radford outscore the Camels in the paint 30-14.
Hayley Barber paced Campbell with 10 points, while Kyra Davis registered six points and a team-high six rebounds. Ashlyn Hampton and Shy Tuelle also chipped in six points apiece, while Lauren Carter recorded five points and three boards.
Barber and Caroline Bowns were named to the Big South All-Tournament Team from CU.
(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)
Seniors Caroline Bowns (left) and Alyshia Allison with runner-up trophy.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
