RADFORD, Va. – Despite 24 points from Jordan Frazier, the Wofford College women's basketball team dropped a tough loss to Radford in the Dedmon Center, 60-59, on Monday night.
The Terriers had a shot to win the game, trailing by just one point, with 26.1 seconds remaining on the clock. With 17 seconds left on the clock, Frazier tried to seal the game with a three, but was rejected by Radford's Jordynn Gaymon. Junior Khadijah Joyner grabbed the offensive board, allowing the Terriers to reset. Frazier attempted another three, missing again. The ball hit a Highlander's shoe, rolling out of bounds, giving Wofford (3-6) one last opportunity.
The team inbounded the ball to Maria Corella, who caught the ball and shot. The 12-footer looked good, but rimmed out. Junior guard Chanel Stokes grabbed the offensive board and threw the shot back up, but by the time the ball left her hand, the final buzzer already sounded.
The lead changed six times throughout the course of the game, with Wofford leading by as many as four at one point in time. The Terriers outscored the Highlanders in the second half, 29-28, but their effort in the last 20 minutes was not enough.
Frazier led the Terriers' scoring efforts, netting 24 points shooting 9-of-27 from the field. The junior sunk 2-of-12 shots from beyond the arc and scored 4-of-5 tries from the free throw line. Corella was the only other Terrier to score in double figures. The sophomore guard scored 12 points going 4-of-11 from the field and converting both of her free throw attempts. Joyner and classmate Ashton Fleming each grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
Ayana Avery was nearly unstoppable for Radford (3-6). The senior scored 25 points for the Highlanders, shooting 9-of-16 from the field and 5-of-9 from 3-point range. She knocked down 2-of-3 from the free throw line as well. While no other Highlander scored in double figures, seven other team members scored during the 40 minutes.
The two sides ended the matchup dead even in points in the paint (22) and points scored off the fast break (6). Wofford earned more off of turnovers (23-15), while Radford scored more on second chance opportunities (14-9).
The first half was a tug of war throughout, with Frazier and Avery highlighting the show. Radford led by as many as six, but took only a two point lead into the half, 32-30. It seemed as if every time Avery scored, Frazier responded and vice versa. Avery ended the first 20 minutes with 16 points, Frazier with 12.
The Highlanders stormed into the second half, taking a nine point lead with 11:33 remaining. Frazier then manufactured a run, dropping seven of the nine necessary points to draw the teams even once again. Five more points from Corella helped the Terriers late, but the team couldn't make the final push to overcome the Big South foe.
The Terriers will take back to the floor on Thursday night where they will look to bounce back against the Tribe of William & Mary. The two sides tip at 6:00 p.m.
