Streaky Shooting Hurts Women’s Basketball in Loss at Presbyterian

Saturday, February 10

Clinton, SC

2:00 PM

Radford University

11-13,7-3Big South

Presbyterian

13-13,4-7Big South

Team	1	2	3	4	F
Radford	14	10	9	17	50
Presbyterian	10	12	22	13	57

Photo by: Rob Simmons

Streaky Shooting Hurts Women’s Basketball in Loss at Presbyterian

2/10/2024 4:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

CLINTON, S.C. – The Radford women's basketball program had flashes of a dominant effort at Presbyterian Saturday afternoon but ultimately fell due to a pair of cold streaks late in the game for the 57-50 loss.

Saturday's contest began with a bang on the defensive end for the Highlanders who held the Blue Hose scoreless for most of the opening quarter. That allowed Radford to put up nine unanswered points for the 9-0 lead. Ashlyn Traylor-Walker hit the first bucket and Olivia Wagner drained her first of three three-pointers on the day for the advantage.

In those final two minutes, however, Presbyterian found their groove and scored eight of the quarter's final ten points to pull things close at 14-10. The Blue Hose continued their hot streak hitting a three to open the second quarter. A Joi Williams three put Radford back up 17-13, but two straight makes from the field and a free throw gave Presbyterian their first lead of the day at 18-17.

Another hot streak would take over for Radford as Ellie Taylor hit a three while Hanner and Pa'Shence Traylor-Walker traded buckets for a 7-0 run that gave Radford a 24-18 lead. Another cold streak quickly followed, however, allowing Presbyterian to draw things closer at 24-22 going into the second half.

Radford went into the second half trying to string together some more consistent minutes, but Presbyterian's offense came alive while the Radford shooting stayed cold. After initial makes from Taniya and Ashlyn, Presbyterian held Radford scoreless for the last seven minutes of the third quarter.

That scoreless streak allowed Presbyterian to take and grow their biggest lead of the day behind an 18-0 run over an eight minute scoreless stretch. Radford trailed by as much as 46-33 early in the fourth and called a timeout to regroup. A more aggressive defense out of the break saw benefits as a 7-0 run got Radford back into things.

A three by the Blue Hose put them back up 49-40, but Radford got an 8-0 run behind impressive work in the paint from Hanner, Ashlyn and Taylor. Down just 49-48 with five minutes to go, Radford's offense went through one last cold spell not scoring for four minutes straight. The defense played well enough to keep things close, but Presbyterian held on for the 57-50 final.

NOTABLES

Radford was held to just three free throws over the entire contest, one of which coming in the final seconds.
After hitting four three-pointers in the first half Radford struggled over the final 20 minutes, only hitting 2 of their last 12 attempts.
Hanner pulled down another double-double despite limited action with 12 rebounds and 10 points.
Wagner dished out five assists, recorded three steals, and scored nine points thanks to a consistent effort over 38 of the 40 minutes.

AROUND THE BIG SOUTH

USC Upstate (9-2) used a late comeback to pull away from UNC Asheville (3-8) in Asheville, N.C. for a 71-65 victory.
Longwood (3-8) and Winthrop (5-6) were neck and neck for a majority of their contest before Winthrop pulled out the eventual 55-54 win.
Gardner-Webb (3-6) and High Point (8-2) are set for a 7 p.m. tip in High Point, N.C. later today.

UP NEXT
Radford is on the road against next Wednesday looking to get back on track away from the Dedmon Center. Radford visits Winthrop on February 14th for a Valentines Day battle tipping at 6 p.m.

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