Box Score Charlena Martin scored a game-high 20 points and High Point held off a Radford rally to post its third-straight win, a 60-55 victory over the Highlanders Saturday night at the Dedmon Center in Radford, Va.
The Panthers improved to 10-9 (4-2 in the Big South), while Radford falls to 8-10 (1-5). With the win, HPU moves into a tie for second place in the League with UNC Asheville.
High Point used a 17-2 to open up a 16-point first half lead. The Panthers went up 26-10 on an Emily Mills jumper at the 6:13 mark before halftime. HPU shot 50 percent (13-of-26) from the field in the opening period and led 33-20 at the break.
Radford chipped away, though, in the second half and took its first (and only) lead of the game at 44-43, with 6:30 to play on a three-pointer by Taryn Causey. But Kate Jenner answered at the other end for High Point and put the Panthers back in front, 45-44, starting HPU on a 10-2 run.
The Panthers were able to keep the Highlanders at bay the rest of the way, although Kylie Williamson brought RU within four at 57-53 following a three-pointer with 34 seconds left. Martin then hit two free throws to give HPU a 59-53 cushion, and Causey scored on a layup to get within 59-55 with 14 seconds to play, but reigning Big South Freshman of the Week Katie Ralls iced things with a foul shot to give the Panthers a five-point victory.
Martin finished the night with seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Jenner and Chan Ingram (10 points) also scored in double-digits for the Panthers.
Causey and Amanda Neby led the Highlanders with 15 points apiece.
The game featured 46 turnovers.
High Point takes a week off before a showdown with seven-time Big South defending champion Liberty next Saturday in Lynchburg (2:00 pm).