HPU Women’s Basketball Comeback Falls Short Against the Highlanders

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women’s basketball team went on a 10-0 run in the second half to tie the game 47-47, but couldn’t complete the comeback, falling to Radford, 64-55 on Saturday at the Millis Center. Redshirt-sophomore Stacia Robertson scored in double figures for the eighth straight game, leading HPU with 20 points.

“I am very proud of the fight we showed in the second half,” said head coach DeUnna Hendrix. “Radford came out very strong on the defensive end and rattled our confidence early. We showed more confidence in the second half but they found a way in the final three minutes. Tomorrow we will turn the page and start getting ready for Liberty.”

The Panthers trailed 45-37 with 13:39 to play. Sophomore Lexi Patterson drove the baseline and found Robertson at the top of the key for two points to cut the lead to 10. Robertson followed it with a pair of free throws and junior Tayler Tremblay made back-to-back baskets to tie the game 45-45 with 8:21 to play. Sophomore Lexi Patterson capped off the run with a layup to give HPU a 47-45 lead.

After ties at 49-49 and 51-51, Radford outscored HPU 13-4 in the final five minutes to win the game 64-55.

Robertson led the Panthers with 20 points, adding six rebounds and three steals. Junior Cheyenne Parker posted her 16th double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. She also had five blocks in the game.

Da’Naria Erwin-Spencer led the Highlanders with 17 points and Ayana Avery added 10 points.

High Point moves to 12-8 overall and 6-3 in Big South play while Radford improves to 11-7 overall and 6-3 in the league.

The Panthers jumped out to a 9-5 lead with all nine points coming from Parker and Robertson. Graduate student Kendra Wallace extended the lead to 11-5 with a jumper from the free-throw line. Diani Mason hit a free throw for the Highlanders to tie the game, 13-13 with 12:54 on the clock. Victoria Hamilton and Robertson traded layups to keep the game tied, 15-15.

The Highlanders went on a 7-0 run to open up a 22-15 lead with 8:53 remaining in the opening period. Three different players scored for Radford during the run that ended when Robertson was fouled by Avery and made the first of her two free throws.

Patterson and Robertson hit back-to-back baskets to cut the lead to five, 25-20 with 6:37 to play. Robertson was fouled again, with 4:35 on the clock, and made both free throws to cut the lead to three, 25-22. Radford finished the half with a 7-3 run to hold a 32-25 lead at the break.
Radford’s biggest lead of the game was 12, 43-21, with 15:20 to play in the second half. Tremblay hit two free throws at 14:58 to bring the lead back to 10 before High Point started its comeback.

Patterson and Tabb traded baskets, making it a 45-35 game. The next basket was Robertson’s layup that sparked High Point’s 10-0 run. Tabb scored for the Highlanders, ending a seven-minute scoreless streak for the Highlanders at 7:08. Tabb’s basket tied the game 47-47.

Avery hit two straight three-pointers to give the Highlanders a 59-53 lead and the held on to win the game 64-55.

Tremblay finished the game with nine points and five steals and Patterson added eight points and three assists.

High Point will host Liberty on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 3:30 p.m. The Panthers beat Liberty, 71-63, in Lynchburg, Va. on Jan. 17. Wallace scored 19 points and Tremblay had her second career double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.