CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Radford women’s basketball program fell in another close one against a tough opponent on the road Sunday afternoon, falling 62-53. Ashlyn Traylor highlighted the offense with her third straight game with double-digit points.
The Highlanders opened the game with some strong defense but struggled despite some open looks early against the Bearcats. The team would go just 3-12 from the field in the first quarter led by an early three-pointer by Carmen Williams. The Bearcats, on the other hand, fired off 23 shots thanks in part six turnovers by Radford.
Sunday’s game was the Highlanders’ third game in just seven days as the team is opening up the season against some high-quality opponents. A rough first quarter did not dissuade the Highlanders from rebounding in the second quarter to pull closer with the Bearcats.
Freshman Olivia Wagner lit up for six points in the quarter to lead the Highlanders. Radford committed eight more turnovers but was able to cancel it out by creating havoc for Cincinnati who turned the ball over seven times themselves in the second quarter.
At the halftime horn the Highlanders would trail just 25-22, despite a rough start. While the third quarter would turn out to be the Highlanders best scoring quarter of the night, Cincinnati was able to grow their lead thanks to some incredibly hot shooting from beyond the arc and some help at the free throw line. The Bearcats would pull ahead 54-42 entering the final quarter despite Jackie Christ and Traylor combining for 11 points.
It was another defensive battle through the final 10 minutes. Neither team had a made basket until the 6:51 mark when Klock broke the ice with a driving layup. The defense stood strong and only conceded eight points over the final ten minutes. Thanks to five makes from the free throw line Radford would outscore Cincinnati 11-8 in the final quarter. It would not be enough, however, as Cincinnati held on to win 62-53.
CASE MADE
It was another marquee night offensively for the freshman Traylor, who made it three-straight nights with double-digit points, scoring 13 tonight. In just 25 minutes, Traylor 5-8 from the field with three rebounds and two assists. In the closing minutes of the game Traylor went 3-4 from the free throw line as well to help try and fuel the comeback attempt.
KLOCK CONTINUES TO BLOCK
Klock added three more blocks to her season total tonight and came close to adding even more. In the paint Cincinnati struggled with just 22 points compared to Radford’s 30 in the paint. A large part of that was thanks to Klock who was on the Bearcats’ backs all night. While her aggressiveness may have gotten her called for four fouls, Klock still played the back half of the fourth quarter with those four fouls without fouling out.
UP NEXT
The Highlanders have another quick turnaround as the road trip continues with a bout against UNC Greensboro this upcoming Wednesday. Tip is set for 11 a.m. in Greensboro, N.C. with action being streamed on ESPN+.
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