RADFORD ROLLS THE CITADEL ON THE ROAD

BOX SCORE CHARLESTON, S.C. - Radford built a 22-point lead in the first half and converted that big start into a road victory at The Citadel on Saturday, 74-61, at McAlister Field House. The Highlanders had four players in double figures, led by Ya Ya Anderson's 13 points.

Radford opened the game scoring the first five points and never relinquished the advantage. The Highlanders stretched the lead to 40-18 with just over four minutes remaining in the first half capping a 20-4 run that proved to be the difference in the ball game.

RU dominated the first 20 minutes with 15 offensive rebounds that led to a 13-0 advantage in second chance points, and the Highlanders forced 15 turnovers that led to a 23-2 edge in points off turnovers.

The second half saw the Bulldogs (3-2) rally and pull to within six at 49-43 with 8:14 remaining, but a loose ball hustle play by Kion Brown led to a Kyle Noreen layup that ended the Citadel run. A subsequent steal and breakaway by R.J. Price pushed the RU lead back to 10, and the Highlanders closed the deal the rest of the way.

"We talked in the huddle during the final media timeout about doing the things to close out the game," head coach Mike Jones said. "We knew we were going to have to play solid defense, take care of the basketball, and make our free throws down the stretch."

And the Highlanders met all three of those goals.

RU hit 9-10 free throws in the final minutes of the game, including six straight from Price and a pair from Javonte Green.

"This was about our entire team sticking together and finishing the job," Jones said.

Blake Smith added 12 points for the Highlanders, and Price finished with 11 along with 10 from Noreen.

For the game, RU swept the glass with a 42-33 edge, including 18 offensive rebounds. Radford forced 24 turnovers and converted those Bulldog miscues into a 30-11 advantage.

The Highlanders (4-3) won on the road for just the second time in the last two seasons - another testament to the early growth shown by this team and this program. The Citadel earlier in the season knocked off a team predicted three places higher in the Big South North standings at the beginning of the season in VMI, so this was an important statement victory for RU.

"Any time you get a win on the road, it's big." Jones said. "I was proud of the leadership our team showed, especially R.J."

Radford is idle until Wednesday, November 28 when the Highlanders play host to Hampton at the Dedmon Center for a 7:00 p.m. tip.

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