Richmond, Radford, Hampton looking to keep win streaks alive

Saturday's previews:

Charleston Southern (9-9, 3-2 Big South) at Liberty (9-8, 3-1), 2 p.m.
Buccaneers senior guard Katie Tull leads the conference in scoring (15.1 ppg) and Charleston-Southern comes in on a three-game win streak. Tull is also 12th nationally in 3-pointers made with 3.0 per game. If history is an indication, you'd have to bet on the Flames, who own this series 42-5 and have won the last 27, holding Tull scoreless in her last visit to the Vines Center. Liberty's loss to Radford confounds us, but we think they'll come out on top here. Liberty 77, Charleston-Southern 61.

Hampton (12-5, 5-0 MEAC) Bethune-Cookman (8-8, 2-3), 2 p.m.
After destroying NC A&T earlier in the week, we wonder if anyone in the MEAC is up to challenging the Pirates, whose offense has become potent behind freshman Nicole Hamilton. The Wildcats, meanwhile, have lost six of their last seven to the Pirates and average a mere 57.6 ppg. Yep, it's on the road, but for reasons that seems obvious, we pick Hampton. Hampton 78, Bethune Cookman 49

Presbyterian (5-11, 2-2 Big South) at  Radford (7-11, 4-1), 3 p.m.
A Blue Hose victory would make history as the team has never won six games in Division I. And yes, Presbyterian has the best scoring defense in the conference and beat a pretty decent Winthrop team. But the Highlanders have won all six meetings between these teams and come in riding high after a huge road win at Liberty that puts them in a tie for first place in the league. Da'Naria Erwin-Spencer is our girl (14.4 ppg) and Radford's our pick here. Radford 66, Presbyterian 55

North Carolina Central (2-15) at Norfolk State (6-8), 4 p.m.
Spartans have dropped their last four and are without a win since Jan. 2. NSU didn't inspire us after shooting 21 percent against Howard, and they have dropped both meetings in this series since moving to Division I. No way to sugarcoat this. NSU needs a win and should get it here. Norfolk State 63, North Carolina Central 51

Dayton (11-7, 2-2 Atlantic 10) at Richmond (13-5, 4-0), 7 p.m.
So pumped are we for this one that we're taking it in ourselves. The Flyers are no doubt flying high with an offense that averages 79.3 ppg, good enough for 17th in the nation. A year ago Dayton destroyed Richmond 83-31 in a game that started the Spiders on a downward spiral. New year, new team? We think so. The Spiders have to feel pretty good about themselves after climbing back from 21 down on the road to beat Duquesne. Brittani Shells, the A-10's scoring leader at 20.4 ppg, has never played better, and Richmond is 5-0 at home. Richmond 73, Dayton 70