High Point Panthers Win Big South Conference Championship
In an exhilarating matchup in Johnson City, Tennessee, the High Point Panthers secured their second consecutive Big South Conference Championship with a narrow 71-67 victory over the Radford Highlanders. This triumph guarantees High Point a place in the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row.
Key Performers
Star players Aaliyah Collins and Anna Hager rose to the occasion by scoring 21 and 18 points, respectively, despite the team’s leading scorer, Macy Spencer, struggling to obtain just six points during the game.
Game Highlights
The Panthers, who finished the season with a strong record of 27-5, quickly established control by jumping to an early 8-0 lead. Hager initiated the scoring with a three-pointer, while Brecken Snotherly’s subsequent three-point play extended the gap. Radford, seeded second, managed to recover and tied the game at 16 with a tip-in by Angelina Nice. However, Collins responded forcefully by sinking two free throws just before the end of the quarter, nudging High Point ahead 18-16.
In the second quarter, Kirah Dandridge of Radford found her rhythm, hitting two three-pointers that contributed to Radford’s comeback, allowing them to lead 32-29 at halftime. After falling behind 39-33 in the third quarter, High Point retaliated with a 13-2 scoring spree, driven by Hager’s three-pointer and Spencer’s shot, taking a 46-41 advantage.
The Panthers continued to assert their dominance as the game progressed, reaching a 56-45 lead going into the final quarter. Radford’s Joi Williams attempted to rally her team with multiple three-pointers, helping to close the gap to just three points early in the fourth quarter. Williams eventually tied the game at 63, but High Point maintained their composure, with Collins and Hager scoring crucial baskets to keep the Panthers ahead.
Radford’s Performance
Leading scorers for Radford also included Joi Williams with 30 points and Ellie Taylor with 10 points, marking a commendable performance for the Highlanders, who last made an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019 and had seen successes in the 1990s as well.
Looking Ahead
With both the men’s and women’s teams from High Point advancing, the university can look forward to a robust presence in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
