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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
AshlynTraylorWalker
Rob Simmons
55
Winner Radford Rad 13-17,9-7 Big South
54
UNC Asheville AVL 10-19,4-12 Big South
Winner
Radford Rad
13-17,9-7 Big South
55
Final
54
UNC Asheville AVL
10-19,4-12 Big South
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Radford Rad 3 18 18 16 55
UNC Asheville AVL 17 13 16 8 54

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Ashlyn’s Clutch Performance Seals Women’s Basketball’s 19-Point Comeback at UNC Asheville

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's basketball program picked up their second win of the week in a big way Saturday afternoon as Ashlyn Traylor-Walker's free throw in the final seconds sealed a 55-54 comeback win over UNC Asheville.

After trailing for the first 39 minutes of the game, Radford claimed its first lead in the closing minute. After UNC Asheville responded to tie with under a minute to go, it was Ashlyn who drew the foul that sent her to the line for the game-winning free throw with two seconds remaining.

The first quarter didn't quite go the Highlanders way as the team had just one make from the floor that allowed UNC Asheville to take a 17-3 lead. Ashlyn had the lone make for Radford, a three-pointer. From there on, Radford's offense responded in a big way shooting just under 50% the rest of the way.

After five more points opened the second quarter pushing the Bulldogs lead to 22-3, Radford needed an answer. That answer came from the freshman Joi Williams who would score seven of Radford's next 11 points. Taniya Hanner and Ellie Taylor found their shot as well with a pair of makes that pulled the deficit back to single digits at 19-28.

Terissa Lavoile-Brice would finish the half with her first points of the contest that made it just a 30-21 UNC Asheville lead at the break. Coming out of the half, the Highlanders didn't slow down. Ashlyn immediately opened things with a three and Williams followed her with another pair of points to enter double figures scoring.

Trailing just 30-27, Radford kept chipping away. Both teams traded buckets until Ashlyn was able to secure back-to-back makes. Both teams shot over 50% in the quarter, but Radford got the final shot in with a layup from Taylor that made it a 46-39 UNC Asheville advantage.

The Bulldogs would open the fourth quarter with a three that moved their lead back to 10 at 49-39. The defense would buckle down from there, however, not allowing another point for four minutes. Thanks to that effort, Radford got an offensive outburst from the Traylor-Walker sisters. Ashlyn started things with a layup followed by three straight makes from Pa'Shence Traylor-Walker who had been held scoreless up to that point.

Radford now had things within a bucket at 49-47 with six minutes to go. The Bulldogs pulled back up four, but three straight clutch free throws from Taylor brought things back within a point at 51-50. UNC Asheville got their final make from the floor at the 2:33 mark that gave them a 53-50 lead.

Ashlyn took over from there as the sophomore went off for two straight makes that gave Radford its first lead 54-53 with 52 seconds left in the game. UNC Asheville was able to draw a shooting foul with a chance to take the lead, but only hit one of their two attempts which tied the game at 54-all.

Once again it was Ashlyn who took over and got the final shot, but a foul by UNC Asheville sent her to the line with two seconds remaining. Ashlyn hit one of two, and it was all Radford would need as the defense held strong one more time for the 55-54 final.
 
NOTABLES
  • Williams made it back-to-back games with double digit points as the freshman stepped up big this week for a total of 28 points and six assists.
  • Ashlyn also posted a breakout week for the Highlanders totaling 37 points, 10 rebounds and five assists over two pivotal games.
  • After shooting just 8% in the opening quarter, the offense turned things around completely shooting 47% in the second, 53% in the third and 50% in the fourth.
  • Taylor also posted 10+ points in both games this week, totaling 23 while shooting 43%.
  • Radford was dominant in the paint outscoring UNC Asheville 30-12.
 
UP NEXT
With the regular season now concluded for the Highlanders, Radford will await the announcement of the tournament seedings by the conference office later tonight around 9 p.m. Action will begin for the Highlanders in the quarterfinal round on Thursday, March 7th.
 
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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