CLINTON, S.C. – The Radford women’s basketball program fell in a tough game Saturday afternoon at Presbyterian in a 78-65 final score. The Highlanders went punch for punch with the Blue Hose in just about every category, but 13 three-pointers allowed the Blue Hose to pull away in the loss.
Headed into enemy territory for the first time in Big South play this season, the Highlanders faced an offense firing in all facets as of late. The Blue Hose put up 13 three pointers today to push their total over the last three games to 36 made shots from deep.
Despite six three-pointers to just one by Radford in the first half, Radford was right there and held a lead at halftime thanks to a last second layup by Ashley Panem to put Radford up 32-31. Ashlyn Traylor led the offense with an impressive ten points in the opening twenty minutes while also controlling the boards with eight rebounds.
Vanessa Blake also got her impressive afternoon going with seven first half points to help pace the offense in the paint. Panem owned the Highlanders lone three-pointer of the half and also went into the locker room with seven points. Trinity Klock also returned to the court and pulled down four rebounds in just eight minutes of play.
In the second half Radford continued to go shot-for-shot until late in the third quarter when the Presbyterian offense continued to just not miss from deep. The opposing Blue Hose hit seven of 13 three-pointers in the second half accounting for 21 of their 47 points in the back half of the game. 12 more of those points also came from the free throw line as Presbyterian came back for the 78-65 win.
Attempting to counter the attack, Traylor and Rachel LaLonde both put up double-digit figures in the second half. LaLonde caught fire for five makes from the floor while also dominating with five rebounds as the senior found her stride late. Traylor nailed a trio of three-pointers for her 10 points and dished out three assists.
TRAYLOR REACHES 20 POINTS AGAIN
Traylor hit the 20-point mark for the second time this season but for the first time against a fellow Division I opponent. Today marked a season-high in three-pointers for Traylor with three, all of which came in the second half. With nine more rebounds, four assists, a pair of steals and a block Traylor continues to excel in all facets.
STILL OWNING THE PAINT
Despite the negative result today, Radford continues to make their presence known in the paint during Big South play. Radford outscored Presbyterian 32-18 in the paint today led by Blake who had ten points down low for the Highlanders. Blake was aggressive and well-known with four more offensive rebounds today pushing her game total to seven.
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will stick to the road for their next Big South contest set for Wednesday, January 4th. Radford will visit USC Upstate with tip set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+. After that, Radford returns for a huge match-up with Gardner-Webb on Saturday at 2 p.m., also streaming 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.
