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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Wagner
Rob Simmons
59
Longwood LWU 3-12,1-2 Big South
64
Winner Radford Rad 6-10,2-0 Big South
Longwood LWU
3-12,1-2 Big South
59
Final
64
Radford Rad
6-10,2-0 Big South
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Longwood LWU 25 6 15 13 59
Radford Rad 16 18 15 15 64

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Wagner Makes History as Highlanders Survive Lancers 64-59

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's basketball program picked up their second straight Big South victory Wednesday night in a thriller 64-59 over Longwood. Olivia Wagner stole the show setting a Radford record going a perfect seven-for-seven from three-point range, something that's only been done once before in Big South history.

Trailing 59-57 with under a minute left in the game with no made shots from the floor since the 4:28 mark, Radford needed an answer to defend the home court. Radford looked to Wagner, who was already a perfect six-for-six on the night from deep, for the answer and the sophomore delivered. Wagner's seventh three of the night put Radford up 60-59 as Radford held on for the 64-59 win.

Wednesday's contest didn't get off to the greatest start for the Highlanders who would trail by as much as 10 in the opening quarter. Pa'Shence Traylor-Walker set the three-point tone for the night as she hit from deep for the team's first points.

Despite the Lancers shooting a blistering 71% in the first quarter to lead 25-16, Radford kept it close thanks to Wagner's first two three-pointers with a team-effort of scoring from Terissa Lavoile-Brice, Taniya Hanner, Pa'Shence and Ashlyn Traylor-Walker.

Joi Williams kicked off the second quarter with a three while Wagner immediately followed to pull Radford to trailing just 25-22. After Wagner hit her fourth three-pointer of the game at the 6:07 mark, Radford was tied 27-all for the first time since the opening minutes. Williams followed with a pair of fast break points at the 5:11 mark to give Radford a lead it would hold until halftime.

Another three-pointer by Williams gave Radford its biggest lead of the night followed by Hanner checking in to extend the lead to 34-29 with 2:07 left in the half. The stout defense wouldn't yield a make from the Lancers until the closing seconds for the 34-31 edge at halftime.

Coming out of the break the Lancers struck first and struck hard opening the quarter on a 7-0 run. Wagner halted the run with her fifth and sixth three-pointers to reclaim the lead at 40-38. Williams also struck for her third three of the night to give Radford a commanding 43-38 lead at the 6:07 mark.

The offense continued to work as Ashlyn and Lavoile-Brice supplied four points at the free throw line and Ashlyn's seventh points of the night had Radford up 49-43 with 3:09 left in the third. Radford wouldn't score for the rest of the quarter, but the defense held Longwood to just one three to keep the 49-46 advantage headed into the final quarter.

Once again, the Lancers struck fast to begin the quarter. An and-one tied the game at 49-all right as action began in the fourth before Hanner was able to score and give Radford back a 51-49 lead with 7:26 left. Longwood responded with four straight points before Ashlyn struck back to retie the game at 53-all. Both teams continued to trade blows as it was Hanner who once again hit a huge layup to seal a double-double and tie the game at 55-all with 4:28 left in the game.

With the game tied again at 57-57, Longwood got a huge floater to fall with 1:27 left in the game to take the lead. A turnover almost proved costly for Radford, but Hanner created a big steal in the paint to give Radford possession. Wagner's seventh three of the game came at a perfect time to give Radford the lead 60-59. After Wagner and teammate Ashlyn sunk all four of their free throws, Radford was able to hold on for the exciting 64-59 victory.

Wagner's seven-for-seven shooting for three-pointers are the headline for good reason. Wagner becomes the first Highlander to ever shoot a perfect seven three-pointers in a game and is just the second Big South player to accomplish the feat in the conference's 40-year history. The previous record for the Highlanders was Tina Lindenfeld who hit a perfect five-for-five three's at Ohio State in 2019.
 
NOTABLES
  • As a team, Radford sunk 11 three-pointers overall which ties a Dedmon Center record for Radford, last being accomplished against Liberty in 2014.
  • Wagner's 23 points are a career-high for the sophomore blowing away her previous best of 17.
  • Williams scored double digits for the third straight game, scoring 11 thanks in part to a trio of three-pointers
  • After allowing 25 points in the opening quarter, Radford's defense held Longwood to 15 points or less in the remaining three quarters.
  • Hanner pulled down her second double-double of her career with 10 points and 11 rebounds including six rebounds on the offensive end.
  • The Highlanders held the Lancers to just two second chance points on the night.
 
AROUND THE BIG SOUTH
  • In a physical battle in Rock Hill, S.C., Presbyterian came out victorious with a big road win over Winthrop 59-43 behind 21 points and seven three's from Mara Neira.
  • Charleston Southern earned its second Big South victory of the season at home 83-61 over Gardner-Webb as the Buccaneers snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Runnin' Bulldogs.
  • Despite a big 22-6 first quarter deficit, High Point stormed back for a dominant comeback victory over UNC Asheville 64-50 behind 17 points from Lauren Bevis.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will look to stay hot when they return to action on the home court with another conference test this Saturday, January 13th against Winthrop. Action is currently set for a 2 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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