RADFORD, Va. – The Plentovich sisters combined for 32 points, but the Gardner-Webb women's basketball team dropped a 65-51 decision at Radford in Big South Conference action Tuesday evening.
 
Gardner-Webb falls to 11-10 overall and 6-6 in Big South play, while Radford improves to 10-11 overall and 8-4 in league action.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs fell behind at the onset of the contest, with Radford opening the game on a 9-0 run.  GWU battled back with back-to-back three-point baskets in its following two possessions to pull back within striking distance and would trail by just two points at 13-11 after a late jumper by Jhessyka Williams to end the first period.
 
The Highlanders pulled away in the second period, closing the frame on a 6-0 run to take a 26-17 lead at the half.
 
Both teams traded baskets throughout the third period, with Radford outscoring GWU 18-15 in the quarter to give the Highlanders a 44-32 lead as play headed to the final quarter.
 
Radford expanded its lead to as many as 18 points with 3:37 to go in the fourth period, and would go on to hand Gardner-Webb a 14-point loss at 65-51.
 
Carley Plentovich led the Runnin' Bulldogs in scoring with 17 points on 6-of-20 shooting, including 4-of-11 from long distance, and also led the team with seven rebounds.  Savannah Plentovich followed with 15 points on a 5-of-14 outing.
 
Radford was paced by Sydney Nunley with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
 
Gardner-Webb was 18-of-61 (29.5 percent) from the floor on the night, including 8-of-25 (32.0 percent) from beyond the arc.  Radford made 22-of-52 (42.3 percent) attempts throughout the contest, including a 4-of-15 (26.7 percent) total from long distance.
 
Gardner-Webb returns home to host Hampton on Saturday, February 8.  Tip-off is set for 3:00 pm inside Paul Porter Arena with live coverage on ESPN+.