ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Radford women’s basketball program fell in a tough one Saturday afternoon 60-48 to a surging Winthrop squad. Radford was highlighted by double digit point performances by Vanessa Blake and Olivia Wagner.
Blake got the scoring and her strong afternoon started for Radford to put Radford up 2-0 in the early minutes of the game and Carmen Williams used an and-one opportunity to extend that lead later to 5-2. An 8-0 run by the Eagles pushed the opponents in front, a lead they would hold the rest of the way.
Blake would score another four points before the opening quarter ended, but Winthrop shot lights out to the tune of a 20-11 lead. A three-pointer by Wagner and smooth jumper by Rachel LaLonde would pull Radford back to just down 18-22 with two minutes left in the half. Another three by Wagner pulled Radford closer, and Winthrop would lead just 26-23 at halftime.
Coming out of the break Williams immediately struck from three after a Winthrop make to trail just 28-26. After that, though, Radford would be held scoreless for five minutes before a make by Blake ended an 11-0 run by Winthrop. By the end of the third quarter, Winthrop would lead 44-33.
The shooting struggles continued into the fourth quarter and Winthrop took full advantage to eventually win 60-48. Ashlyn Traylor fought through foul trouble after quickly collecting four fouls to score seven points over the final ten minutes. LaLonde would also come up just short of another double-double as she finished the afternoon with nine points and 10 rebounds.
BLAKE COMES UP JUST SHORT
After missing a double-double earlier this week by a single rebound, Blake was so close once again today and missed by a lone rebound. Blake was the heart of the offense today and went to work in the paint to the tune of 12 points. The sophomore continues to collect playing time for Radford and logged another 36 minutes today.
UP NEXT
Radford will stick to the road and visit the conference standings leader next Wednesday. Radford and Gardner-Webb will meet up for a 7 p.m. tip this Wednesday, February 8th in Boiling Springs, N.C. with action also being streamed on ESPN+.
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