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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Rachel LaLonde
Rob Simmons
78
Radford Rad 0-1,0-0 Big South
82
Winner Kentucky UK 1-0,0-0 SEC
Radford Rad
0-1,0-0 Big South
78
Final
82
Kentucky UK
1-0,0-0 SEC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Radford Rad 16 20 16 26 78
Kentucky UK 18 24 21 19 82

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Radford Makes Strong First Impression with Close Battle at Kentucky

LEXINGTON, KY. – The Radford women's basketball program came out firing in their season opener Monday night, falling to Kentucky in a close battle 78-82. The Highlanders gave the reigning SEC Tournament champions a run for their money, falling behind but never giving up battling back from as far back as down 17 in the second half for the eventual close finish.

While the freshman would play a large role in the game later on, it was the senior duo of Jackie Christ and Rachel LaLonde who got the offense started. Both collected made baskets in the early minutes of the back-and-forth battle with the Wildcats. Just before the five-minute mark in the first quarter, LaLonde hit a deep three-pointer to give Radford an early 7-6 edge.

Freshman Ashlyn Traylor got her first points of her collegiate career with four minutes left in the quarter and Trinity Klock followed her up with her first points with Radford to keep Radford out-front 11-10. Another layup by Traylor made the lead 13-10, but a 6-0 run by the Wildcats returned the lead to the hosts. To cap-off a hot start, Traylor nailed a three-pointer with 21 seconds left to even things up. A late layup by the Wildcats would give them the lead, however, 18-16 at the end of the first quarter.

The teams would remain tied up until the six-minute mark of the second quarter. LaLonde added to her big scoring night with a huge and-one that put Radford up 25-23. Neither team was really able to gain an edge as Radford had an answer for every Kentucky bucket.

After two made free throws by Zahra Daniel tied things again at 33-all with 2:35 left in the first half, Kentucky had their first commanding stretch of the game. Thanks to some turnovers, Kentucky went on a 9-3 run to close out the first half and lead 42-36 at the break.

That tough stretch continued well into the third quarter as Kentucky seemed to be in full control with a 63-46 lead with a minute left in the third quarter. Radford provided a sign of things to come as LaLonde and Tatiana Beaumont hit two clutch three-pointers in the final 50 seconds of the third quarter to make it just an 11-point deficit.

Williams, LaLonde and Olivia Wagner would all hit shots in the early minutes of the fourth quarter to pace the offense in its final stretch of the night. A three-pointer by Traylor at the 6:29 mark made it suddenly just an eight-point game. With three minutes left, LaLonde hit a three-point that pulled Radford even closer to just a seven-point deficit.

Over the final minute of play, Radford was in control. Christ and Wagner scored some quick points in the paint while Williams was perfect with two made free throws to dwindle the Wildcat lead to 81-76. Williams would draw another foul and hit two more free throws to draw Radford within three points with seven seconds remaining. Kentucky went to the free-throw line to try and put the game away, missing the front-end but scoring the second free throw to seal the game at an 82-78 final score.

LALONDE CATCHES FIRE
The senior LaLonde had an incredible shooting and defensive night for the Highlanders. LaLonde set a new career-high for points in a game leading all scorers with 20 tonight on 8-11 shooting and a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc. LaLonde also dished out five rebounds and three assists and looked more than tuned up for the upcoming season.

BLOCK PARTY AT MEMORIAL
Radford's defense did not let itself get caught off guard tonight. The Wildcats managed just six fastbreak points as the defense stood stout and was quick to put out any attacks at the rim. Radford as a team totaled eight blocks tonight, a total that was only reached once in the last two seasons against all opponents. Klock led the way with an incredible four blocks on the night, while LaLonde also supplied two of her own.

FRESHMEN TURNING HEADS
The starting freshman duo of Traylor and Wagner proved themselves as names to keep an eye on this season with an incredible debut tonight. Traylor went 4-5 shooting from the field to total 10 points while also dishing out four assists. Wagner pulled down five rebounds, collected six assists and found time to score eight points of her own in a team-best 36 minutes of action tonight.

UP NEXT
The Highlanders are coming back home for a match-up with Emory & Henry this Thursday night in the Dedmon Center. The team will look to bounce back and get into the win column when the Wasps come to town for a 7 p.m. tip on ESPN+.

Follow Women's Basketball on Social Media
For more information on the Radford women's basketball team, follow @Radford_WBB on Twitter and Instagram or Radford Women's Basketball on Facebook.
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