ROCK HILL, S.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by runs and relentless defensive pressure, the Radford Highlanders escaped Winthrop Coliseum with a narrow 67-65 victory over the Winthrop Eagles in a Big South Conference women’s basketball clash on Saturday.

The contest was a tale of contrasting halves and a frantic final minute, ultimately decided by a single defensive stand and a pair of missed free throws in the closing seconds.

Radford established early dominance, fueled by hot three-point shooting. Joi Williams and Cate Carlson connected from deep in the opening minutes, sparking a 14-7 first-quarter advantage for the Highlanders. Winthrop struggled to find offensive rhythm, committing seven turnovers in the period.

The Eagles responded forcefully in the second quarter. A 21-point outburst, led by the backcourt duo of Cori Lard and Amourie Porter and timely shooting from Mya Pierfax, erased the deficit. Winthrop’s defense intensified, generating eight steals in the first half and converting Radford’s 13 turnovers into 15 points. The Eagles took a 28-30 lead into halftime, having outscored Radford 21-16 in the quarter.

The third quarter belonged to Radford, specifically Cate Carlson. The Highlanders erupted for 24 points, their highest-scoring period of the game, with Carlson hitting two critical three-pointers. Despite Winthrop’s continued defensive harassment—they finished with 12 steals—Radford’s shooting from beyond the arc, where they went 12 for 25, kept them afloat. A late three-pointer by Cherish Haywood gave Radford a 54-48 lead heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter was a tense, back-and-forth struggle. Winthrop chipped away, tying the game at 59 on a Naomi Wilson jumper with 1:44 remaining. The Eagles then took their first lead since the second quarter, 62-59, on a clutch three-pointer from Cori Lard with 44 seconds left.

Radford answered immediately. Kirah Dandridge was fouled on a three-point attempt and calmly sank two free throws to cut the lead to one. After a Winthrop miss, the Highlanders executed under pressure. With 23 seconds left, Winthrop’s Amourie Porter hit a tough jumper and was fouled, converting the free throw to put the Eagles up 65-61, seemingly sealing the game.

The Highlanders, however, had one more push. Joi Williams drove and found Dandridge for a corner three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining, slicing the deficit to 65-64. On the ensuing inbound play, Radford’s Georgia Simonsen intercepted a pass, was fouled, and went to the line with a chance to take the lead with 2.2 seconds left. Simonsen missed the first free throw but made the second to tie the game at 65.

Winthrop’s final attempt to win in regulation was thwarted by Simonsen, who blocked Mya Pierfax’s jump shot as time expired, sending the game to overtime.

In the extra period, both teams were gripped by offensive stagnation, with the defenses taking over. The only scoring came from Radford’s Ellie Taylor, who converted a putback layup with 1:15 remaining for a 67-65 lead. Winthrop had multiple chances to tie or win in the final minute. Cori Lard missed a driving layup, and after a Radford turnover, the Eagles had a final possession with 3 seconds left. Amourie Porter’s contested jumper from the elbow missed as the buzzer sounded, securing the road victory for Radford.

Joi Williams led Radford with 16 points and five assists, while Cate Carlson added 14 points, all crucial to the third-quarter surge. For Winthrop, Cori Lard finished with a game-high 17 points and four assists, and Amourie Porter contributed 15 points and four assists. The Eagles won nearly every hustle category, with more assists, steals, and points off turnovers, but were ultimately undone by 11-of-20 shooting from the free-throw line and Radford’s superior three-point accuracy.

The win improves Radford to 11-9 overall and evens its Big South record, while Winthrop falls to an even 10-10 on the season. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Radford, Virginia, on Jan. 31.