Down by as many as seven with just under three minutes left, the High Point University women's basketball team rallied to go on a 9-0 run in the final minutes to defeat Radford, 57-55 tonight in the Millis Center.

Senior guard Candyce Sellars hit a crucial three with 2:48 remaining to cut the Highlander lead to 55-51 and spark the 9-0 run. On the Panther's (11-8, 4-1) next possession, Leslie Cook was fouled in the act of shooting a three pointer and connected on all of her charity shots to pull the Panthers within one, 55-54. The Highlanders (11-8, 3-2) got possession with under a minute left to play but a steal from Sellars with 31 seconds showing on the clock set up Caitlin Thys for the game winning jumper with 15 seconds to go. On Radford's final possession of the game Sellars would again steal the ball and hit one of a pair of free throws to seal the victory.

In the second half, Radford took their first lead since the opening minutes off of back-to-back three pointers from Shavon Earp and Fertitta at 9:13. The Highlanders would outscore the Panthers 11-6 over the next seven minutes to take their largest lead of the game, going up by seven going into the final 2:48 of the game.  

Sellars would finish with a game-high 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Thys had her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

For the Highlanders Corrie Fertitta and Kelli Darden each recorded a double-double. Fertitta had 18 points and a game-high 14 rebounds while Darden had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

HPU held a tight lead throughout the first half. The Panthers went on a 7-0 run midway through the opening period to take a six point lead (19-13) at the 9:59 mark. Johnette Walker would hit a three pointer on the Highlander's next possession to cut into the lead but HPU would respond to go up by five with just over five minutes left before the half. RU would again cut the lead, but the Panthers would hold off the rally and would take a six point advantage into the intermission, 32-26.

"Our team really put forth a solid effort tonight to come back against a good Radford team," said HPU head coach Tooey Loy. "We played solid defense and really made some tough shots when we needed to on the offensive end."

Radford held the slight one board advantage, 48-47. High Point had 11 steals to Radford's 9. HPU had 21 second chance points to RU's 8.

The Panthers will return to the court on Saturday, Feb. 3 when they host Coastal Carolina. Game time is set for 4 p.m. in the Millis Center.