LIBERTY USES FREE THROWS TO GET BY RADFORD, 69-64

BOX SCORE

LYNCHBURG, Va. – In addition to going 30-of-36 at the charity stripe, Liberty held a 47-31 rebounding advantage on its way to a 69-64 win over Radford in Big South men's basketball action Thursday evening at the Vines Center.

The loss was the 14th straight and 24th consecutive on the road for the Highlanders as they fall to 3-15 overall and 0-6 in the league.

In a game where the two teams combined for 48 fouls, Radford went 11-of-26 from behind the arc, but was only 9-of-17 at the line.

Following a Daniel Mitchell (Blacksburg, Va., Blacksburg) trey that put the Highlanders up, 42-41, Liberty (6-13, 1-6 Big South) took the lead for good with a 19-7 run, with eight of its points coming at the line.

The Highlanders cut the deficit to two on separate occasions with a pair of layups by R.J. Price (Mechanicsville, Va., Atlee) with under a minute remaining, but that's as close as they would get.

Jesse Sanders led three Flames in double figures with 17 points, including a 13-of-15 effort at the line. Last year's player of the year also added eight rebounds and five assists.

David Minaya contributed a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, while Joel Vander Pol contributed 10 points off the bench for Liberty.

Sophomore Jareal Smith (Savannah, Ga., Johnson) paced the Highlanders with 19 points, Price had 14 and Javonte Green (Alberta, Va., Brunswick) finished with 11.

After Liberty ran off eight unanswered to take its first lead of the contest, 29-28, the Highlanders responded with a small run, capped off by a Price 3-pointer and Lukas Winegarner (Sodertalje, Sweden, Igelstavikens gymnasium) layup to give Radford the lead at the half, 34-31.

Smith led all players at the break with 15 points, including four of his club's six first-half triples.

Both teams shot under 40 percent from the floor.

Radford will conclude its road trip with an 8 p.m. televised (MASN) contest Saturday evening at VMI.

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