STRONG EFFORT COMES UP SHORT AT UNLV FOR MEN'S BASKETBALL

BOX SCORE Follow @RadfordMBB | Tweet #RadfordMBB

LAS VEGAS - Radford built as much as a five-point lead in the first half and used a 15-3 run midway through the second half to give UNLV all it could handle Wednesday night in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Runnin' Rebels, however, posted an 81-62 win over the Highlanders.

Behind the strong play of Javonte Green to open the game, Radford (6-4) pushed to an early 9-4 lead in the first four minutes on three baskets and six points by the Highlander star. The two teams battled back and forth for the better part of the first half.

With the Rebels leading 30-29, the hosts closed the final 4:51 of the first half with a 15-6 run to lead 45-35 at the intermission.

"I was really glad to see our guys come out focused and aggressive," Radford head coach Mike Jones said. "We had a good mindset coming into this game. You have to believe you can play with any team, and our guys were confident tonight."

The first 10 minutes of the second half, however, saw the Runnin' Rebels stretch their lead to as many as 25, leading 70-45 with 8:54 remaining in the game, but the Highlanders responded with strong defense and transition baskets to pull back into the game.

A 15-3 run over the next five minutes cut the lead to 73-60, but the Highlanders would fail to climb any closer as the Rebels pushed the final margin to 19.

"We showed a lot of fight and chipped away at their lead one possession at a time," Jones said. "I'm not a big believer in moral victories because at the end of the day, you have to have one goal, and that is to win the game."

Green finished with 18 points to lead the Radford offensive effort. He was the only Highlander to reach double figures. R.J. Price added nine points, and Jalen Carethers chipped in with eight. Brandon Holcomb continued his solid play in the post with six points and a season-high 10 rebounds. Price also finished with four assists and four steals.

UNLV (5-4) had four players in double figures, led by 18 off the bench and a career high from Jelan Kendrick. Roscoe Smith and Khem Birch each posted double-doubles. Smith had 13 points and 12 rebounds. Birch had 16 and 10. Christian Wood added 10 points.

The Highlanders remain in Las Vegas this week and will face Sacred Heart on Sunday for a 3:00 p.m. (ET) start from the Orleans Arena.

Print Friendly Version