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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Javonte Green
RUHighlanderPhotos.com
46
Radford RAD 0-1
64
Winner Richmond RICHMOND 1-0
Radford RAD
0-1
46
Final
64
Richmond RICHMOND
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Radford RAD 22 24 46
Richmond RICHMOND 29 35 64

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

RADFORD DROPS SEASON OPENER AT RICHMOND

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RICHMOND, Va. - Javonte Green recorded his 27th career double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds, but Radford shot just 28.1 percent from the field and fell 64-46 in the season opener at Richmond on Friday night. Green led all scorers and rebounders in the game and also recorded two blocked shots for the Highlanders.

The game was a back-and-forth affair throughout much of the first half with both teams struggling offensively. The Spiders, however, outscored the Highlanders 13-5 over the final five minutes of the half to push to a 29-22 lead at the intermission. RU committed nine turnovers in the first half that converted to a 7-3 edge for Richmond in points off those miscues. UR also held a 14-8 edge in points in the paint.

The first five minutes of the second half saw Richmond extend its lead to as much as 15, and the Highlanders would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Radford head coach Mike Jones said his team needs to be tougher when opponents grab the momentum. "We were right there for a long time, but if our offense isn't clicking, we need to be more mature and still get defensive stops to stay in the game. We didn't get that done tonight."

The Highlanders did post some positive numbers on which to build. Radford dominated the glass 43-32 over the Spiders, including 16 offensive caroms. RU hit 13-17 from the freethrow line for 76.5 percent. The Highlanders could not overcome the cold shooting, 16-57 from the field and just 1-13 from behind the three-point line. Radford also committed 14 turnovers to just eight for Richmond.

UR got double-digit scoring efforts from Kendall Anthony (18), Terry Allen (13), and T.J. Cline (11). Alonzo Nelson-Ododa grabbed 11 rebounds.

Tonight's game marked a return to Richmond for Jones, who served as an assistant coach both at UR (2000-02) and at VCU (2009-11).

"This city and the people here have been really good to me and my family," Jones said. "Just not tonight."

Radford remains on the road inside the commonwealth Monday heading to Harrisonburg to take on James Madison. The Dukes lost their opener as well, 79-51 to Virginia. Tip is set for 7:00 p.m. at the JMU Convocation Center.
 
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