GREENVILLE (Interstat) — Clemson used a decisive third-quarter run and balanced scoring to defeat Radford 68-47 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Monday at Bi-Lo Center. The Lady Tigers improved to 1-0, while the Highlanders fell to 0-1 before an announced attendance of 1,032. Clemson, the home team, overcame an early second-half deficit with a surge that turned a four-point Radford lead into a double-digit advantage. Radford, the visiting team, stayed close through the first half but could not match Clemson’s shooting and depth after halftime.

Clemson opened the game with a 9-0 run, fueled by Mackenzie Nelson’s 3-pointer and two layups and a Mia Moore layup. Radford answered with layups from Angelina Nice and late baskets by Cherish Haywood. Nelson’s early scoring helped the Lady Tigers lead 17-12 after the first quarter. Radford’s offense began to settle in late in the period, as Haywood made consecutive layups in the final minute to cut into the Clemson lead. Clemson’s Holland Harris hit a 3-pointer late in the quarter, and Yakiya Milton added a layup, but Radford’s response kept the Highlanders within striking distance. The Highlanders also received a late boost from Jordin Richardson and Kerri Fluellen, whose baskets helped offset Clemson’s strong start.

Radford carried momentum into the second quarter. Haywood opened the period with a 3-pointer, and Kailyn Fields made a jumper off a turnover. Georgia Simonsen then made a layup and a hook shot, and Nice added two hook shots as the Highlanders erased the Clemson lead and moved ahead. Clemson stayed close with free throws from Nelson, a layup by Taliyah Henderson and a layup by Moore. Fields made two free throws for Radford, but Nelson answered with a layup and Henderson scored at the buzzer to tie the game at 27 at halftime. Radford outscored Clemson 15-10 in the second quarter, using a patient half-court offense and timely shooting to pull even. The Highlanders’ comeback was built on interior scoring and free throws, while Clemson managed only 10 points in the period.

The decisive stretch came early in the third quarter. After Henderson opened the period with a layup for Clemson, Fields made back-to-back 3-pointers to give Radford a 33-29 lead. Clemson responded with a 20-8 run over the remainder of the quarter. Edie Clarke started the surge with a layup and a 3-pointer. Henderson then made a 3-pointer and a layup, Meeyah Green hit a 3-pointer, and Harris added a 3-pointer and a layup. Radford managed only two Cate Carlson free throws during the run. Henderson closed the quarter with a jumper, giving Clemson a 49-37 lead entering the fourth. The run changed the game’s complexion, as Radford’s brief lead vanished and Clemson’s defense forced the Highlanders into a long scoring drought.

Henderson led Clemson with 15 points, six rebounds and one assist in 30 minutes. Nelson added 16 points, two rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes. Radford’s Nice scored 12 points with six rebounds and one block in 28 minutes. Harris of Clemson contributed 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and one block in 19 minutes. Clarke had five points, five rebounds and one block in 21 minutes. Simonsen of Radford finished with six points, three rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes. Haywood added seven points, four rebounds and one assist in 28 minutes. Fields scored 12 points with one rebound and two assists in 27 minutes. Clemson’s Moore had nine points, three rebounds and two assists in 31 minutes. Radford’s Logan Luebbers Palmer had two points, two rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes.

Clemson maintained control in the fourth quarter. Nice made a layup for Radford, but Moore made a free throw and Harris hit a 3-point jump shot to extend the Lady Tigers’ lead. Simonsen scored a layup for Radford, but Clemson answered with a Kimora Fields layup and a three-point play by Nelson. After Nice and Carlson scored for Radford, Moore made a layup and later a free throw. Amaia Jackson made a 3-pointer, and Julia Scott closed the scoring with a layup. Clemson limited Radford to 10 points in the fourth quarter and pulled away for the 21-point victory. The Lady Tigers’ depth and defensive pressure wore down the Highlanders in the final 10 minutes, while Radford’s offense could not sustain its earlier rhythm.

Radford is scheduled to host Bluefield in its next game, while Clemson is set to host East Tennessee State. Both teams will continue nonconference play before moving deeper into their schedules.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Clemson 62, Radford 57. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Clemson with a 94.3 percent probability to win.