CLINTON, S.C. - Dria David pulled down a career-high
16 rebounds, dropped in 12 points and dished out six assists, but it was not
enough as Presbyterian College fell by a 70-60 score to visiting Radford
Saturday evening in Big South Conference action.
The Blue Hose (5-22, 3-10) had three student-athletes in double figures and
were led by Amanda Mills' 15 points. Mariah Pietrowski chipped in 12 in the
loss. Radford was paced by Kymesha Alston and Kaylyn Crosier, who each
accounted for 17 points.
In the first half, Radford jumped out to an 8-0 lead thanks in part to
back-to-back three-point shots by the visitors to start the game. PC then
countered with six straight points on jumpers by David and a mid-range jump
shot by Chelsea Parker at the 13:52 mark.
The Highlanders pushed their lead to 11 at 21-10 on Victoria Hamilton's steal
and lay-in with just under 10 to play in the first stanza. Head coach Ronny
Fisher's group tried to climb back into the game as Amanda Mills drilled a
three-pointer, cutting the deficit to eight, 21-13.
Radford then went on 8-1 run to go ahead by 15 on Hamilton's three-ball. PC did
a solid job of slicing the deficit over the final three minutes of the half.
Mariah Pietrowski knocked down a charity toss. Then, Kristen Stevens nailed a
three, putting the score at 29-18.
The Highlanders counted with a bucket, but Pietrowski answered the bell,
draining a short jumper with eight seconds remaining in the half.
In the first period, David paced the squad with six points and nine boards. She
hit nearly half of PC's field goals in the opening period, knocking down three
of the squad's seven.
The visitors pushed their lead to 15 just four minutes into the half, but the
resilient Blue Hose once again went on the attack. The squad went on a 13-5 run
that spanned 5:16, finishing on Pietrowski's free throw with 10:32 to play.
However, it marked the closest PC would come the rest of the contest. The Blue
Hose had it at seven points with just over six minutes to play, but a
three-point shot by Ashley Buckhannon pushed the lead back to double figures.
The Blue Hose connected on 20-of-60 shots for the game. The team also made just
11-of-19 free throws. Radford hit 23-of-50 attempts for 46 percent and made
16-of-22 from the line.
David's 16 rebounds marked a PC Division I school record. She was also just one
assist shy of tying her career high.
The Blue Hose return to action Monday evening when they host Liberty in the
home finale. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
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