Gardner-Webb GW 12-4,4-0 Big South

Radford Rad 5-10,1-3 Big South

Gardner-Webb GW

12-4,4-0 Big South

Final

Jan. 07, 2023

Radford Rad

5-10,1-3 Big South

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	F
Gardner-Webb GW	18	19	14	23	74
Radford Rad	10	21	18	21	70

Summary
Box Score

Rob Simmons

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 1/7/2023 4:21:00 PM

Highlanders Just Miss Upending Runnin’ Bulldogs 74-70

RADFORD, VA. – The Radford women's basketball showed true heart Saturday afternoon in a close 74-70 loss to Gardner-Webb who came into the meeting undefeated in Big South play.

After an early basket by Olivia Wagner got Radford an early 2-0 advantage, Gardner-Web used an 8-1 run to gain a lead they wouldn't give up for the next 30 minutes. The high octane Runnin' Bulldogs offense was as advertised putting up 18 first quarter points. Four points by Rachel LaLonde and a three-pointer by Trinity Klock kept Radford close however, as the team trailed 18-10 headed into the second.

The second quarter proved the Highlanders were still going punch for punch with the Runnin' Bulldogs as they outscored them 21-19 in the second quarter to tighten things before the half. Carmen Williams got it started with an and-one, converting the free throw and Vanessa Blake quickly caught fire with two layups for her first points of the day.

Trailing 30-17, Ashley Panem nailed a huge three-pointer for Radford to halt the opponent's run. Radford would start to use the free throw line to its advantage getting five straight makes from Wagner and Williams to pull closer. Now trailing just 35-29, Wagner hit two more free throws right before the half ended to make it just a 37-31 deficit at the half.

That Radford offense came out roaring in the second half to the tune of 39 points against a pesky Gardner-Webb defense. Ashlyn Traylor, who had been held scoreless through the first half, came alive and immediately contributed with a duo of made layups in the first minutes of the third quarter. Traylor then nailed a three-pointer that made it just a 45-42 game with five minutes in the third.

Gardner-Webb kept answering, however, with two straight baskets to preserve their lead. Another pair of made free throws by Wiliams and a huge and-one conversion by Blake brought things right back to 49-46. Blake would fire off one more make before the quarter ended to make it just a 51-49 game headed into the final quarter.

In that final quarter, Radford wasted no time taking its first lead since the opening minutes of the game. A Traylor layup, Blake layup and three straight free throws had Radford out front 56-51 two minutes into the fourth. A 5-0 run by the Runnin' Bulldogs tied things back up and the two teams would trade shots the rest of the way as the game became a track meet.

At the 4:33 mark, Traylor came up huge with her second three-pointer of the day that put Radford up 61-60. Back-to-back layups and two free throws by Wagner halted a 4-0 run by Gardner-Webb and again gave Radford a slight 67-66 edge. Gardner-Webb leaned on their experience over the final minutes however, as their three top scorers would put the game away at the free throw line and hold on 74-70.

The Highlanders were back to their usual scoring ways today as the team shot 46% overall and a respectable 36% from three. Despite turning the ball over 22 times, Radford was still able to create 23 points off Gardner-Webb turnovers which was four more than their opponent. Radford also secured 13 second chance points thanks to 11 offensive rebounds to fuel the offensive efforts.

FIVE PLAYERS IN DOUBLE FIGURES
For the first time this season, and the first time since a game against Lenoir-Rhyne in November of 2021, Radford had five different players reach double-figures scoring. Those players included LaLonde (14 points), Blake (13 points), Williams (10 points), Wagner (13 points) and Traylor (14 points). It was a team effort for the Highlanders today with offense coming from all angles.

BIG-TIME DEFENSIVE EFFORT
Gardner-Webb came into Saturday's meeting averaging just 16.7 turnovers per game, but Radford was able to force them into 21 turnovers today. Wagner led the charge collecting a season-high five steals along the way. LaLonde also created a trio of steals, a season-best for her and most against a Division I opponent since hosting Furman in 2021.

UP NEXT
The Highlanders will stick to the home court and look to get back in the win column next Wednesday, January 11th, when they host Winthrop for a 7 p.m. tip.

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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