Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. – Sophomore Khalilah Ali/Suffolk logged a career-best 16 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season, as the Longwood University women's basketball team earned a 76-70 victory against Big South Conference and in-state rival Radford University (7-20, 5-13) on Saturday afternoon in Willett Hall. The Lancers led by as many as 10 in the outing, and although the Highlanders made it a one-possession game with less than two minutes to go, the home squad was able to hold on to snap its four-game skid. Sophomore Raven Williams/Richmond paced the Lancers' four double-digit scorers with 18 points, while classmate Kyndal Skersick/Orlando, Fla. added 17 points in the outing. Longwood (8-20, 5-14) will host Big South foe Liberty University on Saturday, March 1 in the squad's regular-season finale at 2 p.m.

"We had a terrific team effort today," said head coach Bill Reinson. "Everyone stepped up and made shots, which we hadn't been doing. Deborah Headen continued to play well and Emily Nylen was a huge spark off the bench in the first half. I hope the ladies realize that we can play like that every game if we are focused and intense. We'll continue to try to get everyone back healthy as we prepare for Liberty next Saturday."

Radford scored the first six points of the day before Headen hit a jumper to put Longwood on the board. The teams alternated baskets with Radford maintaining at least a four-point advantage until Headen struck again for the Lancers, this time draining a deep three-pointer to make it a one-possession game at 10-7 with 14:51 remaining in the first half. Just over a minute later, Skersick cut the difference to two points with her own jumper from beyond the arc, but RU used an 11-3 run to take its largest lead of the contest at 21-13 with 10:14 left in the first half. However, Longwood was quick to answer, as William knocked down another three to spark a 14-3 spurt that gave the Lancers a 27-24 lead at 5:03. The Highlanders made a layup to pull within one, but five points from Ali, a layup from Williams and a free throw by Skersick helped the Lancers take a 35-31 edge into the break.

Coming out of halftime, Radford hit back-to-back field goals to take back the upper hand, but Longwood followed with 11 unanswered points, securing its largest buffer of the contest at 46-36 with less than 15 minutes to play. The Highlanders fought back to within four, down just 48-44, at 12:05. RU trailed by four on two more occasions before Headen and Skersick each hit threes to put Longwood on top, 60-52, at 8:43. The visitors outscored the Lancers, 13-8, over the next seven minutes, closing the gap to just a bucket for the final time, but the home team scored eight of the last 13 points, including four from Williams to seal the 76-70 victory.

Ali leads the Lancers with four double-doubles this year. Headen rounded out the double-digit scorers for Longwood with 13 points in the decision, while freshman Brenna Robbins/Erie, Pa. led the squad with a personal-best five assists. As a team, the Lancers shot season highs of 53% (26-49) from the floor and 53% (8-15) from beyond the arc. The squad also shot 89% (16-18) from the line in the outing.

Rachael Ross and Ayana Avery paced the Highlanders with 21 and 20 points, respectively. Aisha Foy tallied 14 points in the outing, as well. As a whole, Radford shot 50% (29-58) from the field, 33% (5-15) from three-point territory and 70% (7-10) from the foul line.

Saturday's contest marked the 31st meeting between Longwood and Radford in the sport of women's basketball. The Highlanders still hold an 18-13 advantage in the all-time series.