HEARTBREAKER FOR RADFORD AS VMI WINS 70-69

BOX SCORE RADFORD, Va. - Radford allowed an eight-point lead to evaporate in the game's final 1:18 Wednesday night as the Highlanders let one slip away to VMI at the Dedmon Center, 70-69.

R.J. Price scored 26 points and set a career high with six three-point field goals, but the Highlanders' inability to seal the game at the free throw line in the waning moments came to haunt RU. The Highlanders hit just 4-10 in the final minute, and VMI capitalized behind the league's leading scorer, Stan Okoye.

The VMI senior scored his team's final 16 points, including 13 in the final 1:18 to lead the comeback. His put back layup with just over three seconds to play proved the difference as the Highlanders fell to 7-3 at home, 10-12 overall, and 4-4 in the Big South Conference.

The Keydets were forced to foul in order to have a chance at coming back, and the Highlanders left the door open. Blake Smith hit 1-2 for Radford, and Okoye did the same on the other end at the charity stripe as the teams traded fouls in a span of 10 seconds. A pair of Jalen Carethers freebies gave Radford a lead at 68-62 with :51 remaining.

Another Okoye jumper closed it to 68-64, and Smith again split a pair from the line - 69-64.

Smith and Price both missed a pair of free throws with an Okoye layup in between, and that set up Okoye for the game-winner, but even that did not come easy.

Okoye missed a contested layup with five seconds ticking down, but got his own rebound and put back to give VMI the lead 70-69 with 3.4 remaining. He was fouled on the play and missed the free toss intentionally. An RU desperation toss came up empty.

"It wasn't just free throw shooting," RU head coach Mike Jones said. "We gave up a lot of put backs, and you can't do both. You can't miss free throws and give them that many second chances. It doesn't matter whether you are at home or on the road, if you do those things, you make it tough on yourself to win."

Along with Price's 26, Smith finished with 14, and Rashun Davis had 13. Javonte Green totaled nine points, 10 rebounds, and a career high five assists. Radford hit just 18-33 from the free throw line.

The VMI standout finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Rodney Glasgow added 15, and Tim Marshall 10. D.J. Covington grabbed 13 rebounds and four blocks. The Keydets outrebounded the Highlanders 53-42.

The game was interrupted with 11:18 to play and RU leading 48-44 by a fire alarm. The Dedmon Center was evacuated and play continued after a 12-minute delay.

"We have to turn the page," Jones said. "We have to learn from the mistakes we made and be determined not to let them happen again."

Radford hits the road Saturday at Coastal Carolina for a 2:00 p.m. tip.

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