GREEN'S DOUBLE-DOUBLE NOT ENOUGH FOR RU AT LIBERTY

BOX SCORE LYNCHBURG, Va. - Javonte Green recorded his sixth double-double of the season Tuesday with 23 points and 13 rebounds, but the Highlanders again struggled from the free throw line in a tight game and fell at Liberty, 75-70.

Green, Rashun Davis and R.J. Price combined for 48 of the Highlanders' (10-14, 4-6 Big South) 70 points. Although Radford shot better than the Flames (43.3 percent to 41.1 percent), its 15 turnovers proved to be costly as Liberty (8-16, 4-6 Big South) claimed a 21-7 advantage in points off turnovers. RU won the battle of the boards 43-37.

"We made a lot of untimely turnovers at that were costly down the stretch," RU head coach Mike Jones said. "You combine that with 9-20 from the free throw line, and that just isn't going to get it done."

Green played a crucial role in keeping the Highlanders within striking distance down the stretch. In addition to Green's performance, Price finished with 13 points and Davis chalked up 12. Price also handed out five assists.

John Caleb Sanders dropped in 19 points to pace the Flames' offensive attack. Tavares Speaks and Davon Marshall put up 16 and 11 points to give the hosts three double-digit scorers.

Radford led by as many as eight in the early going as Juwan Wells converted a layup off an offensive rebound at the 11:35 mark to set the score at 15-7. Liberty rallied to tie things up at 19 following a Casey Roberts 3-pointer. With momentum on their side, the Flames were able to push ahead and snatch a 35-31 advantage at the break.

Both squads hit 12-of-29 (41.4 percent) from the floor in the opening stanza. In addition to outscoring the Highlanders 18-12 in the paint, Liberty was able to convert eight RU miscues into an 11-0 edge in points off turnovers in the first 20 minutes. For the game, the Highlanders outshot Liberty from the field 43-41 percent.

RU hit three more field goals than the Flames and outshot them from deep, 9-5, but the difference in the game was at the charity stripe. Liberty outscored Radford 24-9.

"We executed our offense and got good looks all night," Jones said. "We just didn't convert again from the free throw line. We will keep getting our guys into the gym and keep getting them reps to get better."

The loss is the third straight for the Highlanders, who now return home Saturday for a 2:00 start against Presbyterian at the Dedmon Center.

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