Radford Rad 11-15,7-8 Big South

UNC Asheville AVL 10-16,6-9 Big South

Radford Rad

11-15,7-8 Big South

Final

Feb. 15, 2023

UNC Asheville AVL

10-16,6-9 Big South

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	F
Radford Rad	17	8	11	13	49
UNC Asheville AVL	15	15	13	9	52

Summary
Box Score

Rob Simmons

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 2/15/2023 8:53:00 PM

Comeback Attempt Falls Just Short at UNC Asheville

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Radford women's basketball program came up just short in a comeback attempt at UNC Asheville Wednesday night as the Highlanders came back within one with 30 seconds to go before ultimately falling 52-49.

Radford's evening at Asheville got off to a great start as Carmen Williams set the tone with a three-pointers in the opening seconds. A 4-0 run would briefly give the Bulldogs a lead but Williams took it right back with another jumper. The two teams would trade leads back and forth accented by a huge three pointer by Maci Rhoades off the bench to make it a 12-10 Radford lead.

A scoreless three minutes gave the Bulldogs back the lead, but a quick 5-0 run by Radford thanks to Trinity Klock and three more points by Rhoades made it a 17-15 Radford lead after a quarter. Olivia Wagner would extend the lead and Ashlyn Traylor pushed it even further to 21-15 at the start of the second.

Six unanswered by the Bulldogs tied things back up, but Rhoades briefly pushed Radford ahead again with a jumper at the six-minute mark. The final three minutes of the half would go scoreless for the Highlanders allowing the Bulldogs to hold a 30-25 lead at the break.

Needing a run, Radford did just that to open up the third quarter. Rachel LaLonde scored her first points of the day with a three-pointer and Vanessa Blake followed suit with her first points of the night to immediately tie the game at 30-all one minute into the half.

Another cold streak would prove costly, however, as Radford didn't score for another five minutes. Jackie Christ broke the ice with a pair of layups joined by Wagner who made a nifty jumper with under four minutes left in the third. Despite the cold streak, the defense stood strong to keep it just a 43-36 deficit headed into the final quarter.

Radford again burst out the gates to start the quarter as a three-pointer by Williams made it a three-point game at the eight-minute mark. Blake, joined by a trio of made free throws from Wagner and Traylor, kept it at a three-point game at 48-45 with five minutes to go.

Trailing 50-46, Blake went to the free throw line again with a chance to make it a one shot game again with under two minutes left. Blake hit the first but missed the backend. Traylor was right there, scooping up the offensive board and immediately laying it in to make it just a 50-49 game. Radford would hold multiple opportunities to gain an edge over the final minute and a half, but the shots just wouldn't fall through allowing UNC Asheville to hold on and win 52-49.

RHOADES STEPS UP
The freshman Rhoades stepped up in a big way tonight as she came off the bench for nine points. Rhoades was efficient, hitting three of the four shots she took and a pair of free throws. Rhoades also collected four rebounds, an assist and a tied for team-high two assists. The rookie Rhoades proved pivotal in the Highlanders offensive attack tonight and continues to be a quiet but effective weapon for Radford.

CREATING POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Radford did not win the turnover battle tonight, but used its opponents mistakes to its advantage at a better pace. Radford collected eight steals in the afternoon and used that defensive attack to turn up 16 points, four of which came in the fast break. The Bulldogs created just 11 points off Radford's turnovers.

UP NEXT
The Highlanders will regroup and get ready for a bounce back opportunity this Saturday against a Commonwealth foe Longwood. Radford will attempt to avenge an earlier season loss against the Lancers with a tip set for 2 p.m. on ESPN3.

This Saturday is also Senior Day for Radford. Before the game, Radford will honor four seniors including Rachel LaLonde, Jackie Christ, Ashley Panem and Bailee Adkins at mid court.

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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