TOWSON TOO MUCH FOR HIGHLANDERS

BOX SCORE RICHMOND, Ky. - The opening night of the EKU / Comfort Suites Invitational proved a difficult one for the Radford men's basketball team as Towson defeated the Highlanders 75-67 at McBrayer Arena.

The Tigers, who have three starters who transfered from Big East Conference programs, were the more aggressive and physical team against the youth and energy that has become a trademark of the RU team early in the season.

"They mauled us," RU head coach Mike Jones said. "Their aggressive and physical mentality set the tone from the onset, and we didn't match their physicality."

The Tigers used that dominating physical advantage over RU to a 45-27 edge on in rebounding, including 19 offensive rebounds. Towson held Radford to just 29.6 percent shooting from the field in the first half.

Yet, despite the rebounding advantage and the poor shooting by the Highlanders, RU scrapped and clawed its way to a 22-17 after trailing 15-8 at the midway point of the first half.

Juwan Wells' second three-pointer of the game gave the Highlanders their first lead of the game, 18-17 with 6:43 to play before halftime. An R.J. Price jumper followed by a Lucas Dyer basket capped a 14-2 Radford run and gave the Highlanders the largest lead they would enjoy on the night, 22-17.

Towson, however, closed the half with a 16-2 run of its own and led 33-24 at the intermission.

"Every one of our runs was answered by them," Jones said. "We need to get better at finishing defensive possessions. You cannot separate defense from rebounding. If you get a stop without a rebound, you're still on defense."

The Tigers grabbed 16 offensive rebounds in the first half and converted those to a 9-0 advantage in second chance points. In the second half, the Tigers shot 60 percent from the field and pushed the lead to as many as 19.

Still, Radford showed its scrap and cut that lead to seven on a couple different occasions. Ya Ya Anderson scored all of his career-high 10 points in a three-minute span as the Highlanders chipped away at the Towson lead late in the game. Anderson's 10 points were matched by Javonte Green. They were the only RU players to reach double figures. Green grabbed a team-high five rebounds to go with four steals.

RU is back on the court on Saturday in the invitational. The Highlanders will face Kennesaw State at 8:00 p.m. following the Eastern Kentucky / Towson game.

"We have to regroup and turn the page," Jones said. "We have to be ready tomorrow night to play Kennesaw."

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