After finishing the regular season with 20 wins and a runner-up position in the Big South Conference, the Radford Highlanders women’s basketball team is preparing for the upcoming Big South Tournament. The team will begin its postseason run against Charleston Southern in the quarterfinals at Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, Tennessee. The game is scheduled for Thursday, March 5th at 6:00 p.m.
Radford earned its No. 2 seed after defeating Gardner-Webb 65-59 last Saturday. The game was closely contested until Radford managed to shut out Gardner-Webb in the final three minutes, ending on a 7-0 run. Georgia Simonsen contributed eight points in the fourth quarter and secured nine rebounds. Joi Williams scored three free throws late in the game to help maintain Radford’s lead and finished with 18 points and five assists. Angelina Nice made five three-pointers in the first half, with three coming in the second quarter.
The Highlanders are entering the tournament as a No. 2 seed for the first time since 2018. Historically, they have a record of five wins and two losses against Charleston Southern in tournament play, with their last loss to CSU occurring in 2001 during the quarterfinals. Since Mike McGuire became head coach during the 2013-14 season, Radford has posted an 11-9 record in Big South Tournament games. The team’s most recent conference title and NCAA Tournament appearance came in 2019.
Four players received recognition from the Big South Conference this week. Georgia Simonsen was named Freshman of the Year, Mike McGuire was honored as Co-Coach of the Year, Joi Williams made first-team all-conference, and Angelina Nice received an all-academic award. Simonsen also earned her final Freshman of the Week honor after scoring more than twenty points in consecutive games to close out the regular season.
Mike McGuire said: “Georgia Simonsen was named Freshman of the Year, Mike McGuire received Co-Coach of the Year, Joi Williams earned first-team all-conference, and Angelina Nice was all-academic.”
Fans can follow Radford women’s basketball throughout their postseason journey on social media or by visiting RadfordAthletics.com.
