Men's Basketball 12/23/2013 8:21:00 PM

RU WINS DIVISION TITLE AT VEGAS CLASSIC DEFEATING FLORIDA GULF COAST, 64-63

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LAS VEGAS - Kyle Noreen knocked down a right-corner three-pointer with :17 to play off an assist from Javonte Green to give Radford (8-4) a hard-fought 64-63 win over Florida Gulf Coast in the championship game Monday of the upper division at the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic held at Orleans Arena.

After Radford head coach Mike Jones called a timeout with :33 and the Highlanders trailing by two, Noreen buried the biggest shot of his RU career on a beautiful find by Green, who was triple teamed in the post. Green's cross-court pass found a wide open Noreen, who connected on his third trey of the game and gave the Highlanders the lead for good.

It was no surprise that Jones would look to Green to help produce the winning play. He had scored six straight points for the Highlanders in a stretch over the final 2:46 as each team traded baskets. A game that saw 10 ties came down to Green realizing the defense would key on him and finding his open teammate.

"We just battled today," Jones said. "It wasn't always pretty, but we were really locked in. We were willing to share the ball, right down to the last shot. All the credit goes to these guys."

Green scored a season-high 25 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead the Highlanders. He also added three steals, a block, and three assists, none of which were bigger than his final dish to Noreen.

Noreen's nine points were a season-high as well, and Jones spoke emotionally about his hard-nosed junior. "He's a really good player. We all really believe in him, and I am just so happy for him."

After Noreen's triple, the Highlanders forced a rushed attempt defensively by FGCU and secured the rebound. Rashun Davis missed the front end of a bonus free throw opportunity, but an Eagle desperation heave that hit the front of the rim was ruled too late by the officials, and the Highlanders celebrated a landmark victory in the rebuilding of the program under Jones.

R.J. Price, who was named to the all-tournament team after scoring 30 points in Sunday's semifinal win over Sacred Heart, scored 13 and grabbed four rebounds in another impressive floor game for the junior guard. Ya Ya Anderson chipped in with eight points, and Brandon Holcomb equalled Green's team-high six rebounds.

Florida Gulf Coast (6-7), which made a run to the Sweet 16 in last year's NCAA Tournament, defeated Florida A&M on Sunday to get to the title matchup with Radford. The Eagles were led by Chae Fieler's double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds. Bernard Thompson, who hit four three-pointers to score 12 points, missed on his final attempt after the Highlanders had taken the lead.

Neither team held more than a six-point lead in the contest of evenly-matched opponents. Both grabbed 29 rebounds, both shot 47 percent from the floor, and both forced the other into 12 turnovers. Radford hit one more three-point basket (9-8), and that was the difference in the game.

The 8-4 start through 12 games of the season is the best since the 1993-94 team began 9-3 through its first dozen games for Radford.

The Highlanders enjoy a week off through the Christmas holiday and return to the Dedmon Center on Monday, Dec. 30 to face Houghton at 5:30 p.m.

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