RADFORD COMPLETES COMEBACK TO DOWN LIBERTY IN BIG SOUTH OPENER

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RADFORD, Va. - Radford spotted its rival Liberty a 9-0 lead and a 13-point edge in the first six minutes of the game and then stormed back to take the Big South opener for both teams, 72-63, at the Dedmon Center on Wednesday night. R.J. Price led four Highlanders in double figures with 18 points, but it was his leadership throughout the game that had his teammates and head coach impressed after the game.

With his team off to the slow start, it was Price that took the leadership role in the huddle to spur his fellow Highlanders, and they responded.

"We've been through a lot in the last couple years trying to build our program up," head coach Mike Jones said. "We had the leadership tonight to withstand those first few minutes of the game. They know not to panic, and we kept our composure."

Rashun Davis provided a scoring punch off the bench to begin the comeback. Davis finished the night with a dozen points, but eight of them came while the Highlanders were working their way back into the game in the first half. The RU bench outscored Liberty 27-10, led by Davis' 12 and Jalen Carethers with nine.

Back-to-back three-point baskets by Ya Ya Anderson, who finished with 13 points on the night, capped a 27-14 run over 12 minutes to tie the game at 33 with just under a minute to play in the first half. A pair of Carethers free throws with :26 remaining before halftime gave RU its first lead, and one it would never give up. Radford took a 35-33 lead into the lockerroom.

After John Caleb Sanders tied the game with the first basket of the second half, the Highlanders answered with a 16-5 run over the next 10 minutes to take command of the contest. Sanders led the Flames with 12 points. Andrew Smith, Tomasz Gielo, and Davon Marshall all finished with 11 for the visitors.

Javonte Green also scored in double figures for the Highlanders and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. RU put the game away impressively, however, from the charity stripe. For the night, the Highlanders shot 24-30 at the line, which helped overcome 39.3 percent shooting from the field. The defense also forced 17 turnovers and turned that into a 23-11 scoring advantage.

Radford (11-5) has a short turnaround before heading to High Point on Friday for a 7:00 p.m. start against the Panthers. The game is being broadcast live on ESPNU.

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