RADFORD, V.A. – Winthrop women's basketball's comeback attempt just fell short as Jah'Che Whitfield's 3-point attempt was no good as time expired to give Radford a 54-53 win on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles fall to 7-9 overall and 4-3 in conference play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles got off to a slow start offensively as Radford jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead and led 16-9 as time in the first quarter expired. Sydney Buckley drained a big 3-pointer to open the quarter to bring the Eagles within four points. It was a back and forth battle and two good free throws by Jah'Che Whitfield with 4:18 remaining in the half made it a one possession game, 23-21. A 7-0 run, paired with a basket by Khiana Johnson as time expired, gave the Highlanders a 32-23 lead at halftime. The Eagles came out of the locker room hot, outscoring the Highlanders 20-12 in the third quarter. Kem Nwabudu hit a jumper as time expired to make it a one point game with 10 minutes to play. Nwabudu hit a jumper to give Winthrop its first lead of the game, 45-44. The Eagles took a three point lead off a layup from Destinee Jamison-Whitfield with 4:21 to play. Radford's Sydney Nunley made it a one point game and with 1:11 left, made two free throws that gave Radford a 54-53 lead. Jah'Che Whitfield attempted a 3-pointer as time expired that fell short. The Eagles finished 42 percent from the field, 89 percent from the line and just 11 percent from behind the arc.
 
KEY PLAYERS
Kem Nwabudu (20 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal)
Jah'Che Whitfield (16 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists)
Maleeah Langstaff (6 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals)

NOTABLES

• Winthrop lost the battle of the boards, 31-24.
• Kem Nwabudu and Jah'Che Whitfield were both perfect from the line, both finishing the game 4-for-4.
• The Eagles had nine bench points against Radford, led by Destinee Jamison-Whitfield who finished with six points.
• The Eagles turned the ball over 17 times, resulting in 17 points for the Highlanders.
• Radford committed 22 turnovers, resulting in 15 points for Winthrop.
• The Highlanders were 4-of-12 from 3-point range, while the Eagles only connected on one shot from behind the arc out of nine attempts.

UP NEXT
Winthrop women's basketball will return home on Tuesday evening to take on Longwood. The Eagles and Lancers only met once during the 2018-19 season in Rock Hill and the home team won, 77-69. Three players finished in double figures: Kem Nwabudu (20), Jah'Che Whitfield (19) and Miquela Santoro (10). Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.