Game Notes

RADFORD, Va. – The Longwood University women's basketball team hits the road this week to face off against a pair of Big South Conference opponents. The Lancers will travel to in-state rival Radford University on Thursday, January 16 for a 7 p.m. tilt before making the trek south to take on Winthrop University on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. Both games will be streamed live via the Big South Network.

Looking at Longwood
Longwood is currently 6-10 overall this season, including 3-4 in Big South Conference action, after splitting a pair of home games last week. The Lancers made a valiant comeback effort against UNC Asheville before eventually succumbing to a 69-65 loss on Jan. 9. However, the squad turned things around with a come-from-behind win against Gardner-Webb on Jan. 11. After trailing 39-26 at the break in that outing, Longwood outscored the Runnin' Bulldogs, 33-18, in the second half, as sophomore Raven Williams/Richmond laid in the deciding basket with just a minute to go. Through 16 games, sophomore Daeisha Brown/Richmond paces the squad with 17.8 points per game. Williams has added to the offensive effort with 11.9 points per game, while redshirt-senior Heather Tobeck/La Porte, Texas totals 8.6. Sophomore Kyndal Skersick/Orlando, Fla. follows close behind with 8.5 points per game, as well. Sophomore Khalilah Ali/Suffolk leads the Lancers on the boards with 6.1 rebounds per game, while Brown adds 5.5. As a team, Longwood is shooting 35.9% (334-931) from the floor, including 26.1% (93-356) from beyond the arc, and 69.0% (165-239) from the foul line.

Scouting Radford
The Highlanders are 2-15 so far in 2013-14 and 0-8 in Big South play. RU dropped a pair of home decisions last week, including a 68-56 loss against Winthrop and a 68-61 setback against UNC Asheville. Radford, under the direction of first-year head coach Mike McGuire, is led by Ayana Avery with 13.1 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game. Aisha Foy adds 8.5 points per game, while Breshara Gordon totals 7.4. As a whole, the Highlanders are shooting 38.2% (365-955) from the field, including 31.3% (72-230) from three-point territory, and 60.8% (141-232) from the foul line.

Scouting Winthrop
The Eagles own a 12-4 overall record in 2013-14, including a 6-1 mark in Big South games. WU is in the midst of a three-game win streak, including a 68-56 victory at Radford on Jan. 9 and a 77-53 win at Coastal Carolina on Jan. 13. The squad will host Liberty on Jan. 16 prior to welcoming Longwood to Rock Hill, S.C. on Jan. 18. Winthrop, under the direction of Kevin Cook in his second year, is led by Dequesha McClanahan with 17.8 points per game. Erica Williams and Shaquilla Nunn add to the offensive effort with 13.8 and 12.4 points, respectively. Nunn also leads the team on the boards with 11.3 rebounds per game. The Eagles are currently shooting 41.2% (335-813) from the floor, 29.0% (49-169) on three-point opportunities and 72.0% (177-246) from the foul line.

Series History
Thursday's contest will mark the 30th meeting between Longwood and Radford in the sport of women's basketball, while Saturday will be the 12th time that the Lancers have faced off against Winthrop. Although the Highlanders lead the all-time series, 17-12, Longwood took two of the three decisions between the squads last year, including a 54-51 victory in the semifinals of the Big South Championship on March 9, 2013. Winthrop holds a slight, 6-5 edge in the all-time series against the Lancers, however, Longwood also picked up a postseason win against the Eagles last season on March 8, 2013 with a 79-67 upset.