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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
R.J. Price
RUHighlanderPhotos.com
52
Howard HOWM 1-3
61
Winner Radford RAD 1-2
Howard HOWM
1-3
52
Final
61
Radford RAD
1-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Howard HOWM 18 34 52
Radford RAD 20 41 61

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

RADFORD WINS 12TH STRAIGHT HOME OPENER WITH DEFENSIVE EFFORT

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PHOTO GALLERY

RADFORD, Va. - In 41 seasons of basketball, Radford (1-2) has only lost five times in its home opener, and the last time the Highlanders dropped an opener at Dedmon, it was in 2002 to Howard (1-3) in overtime. The Bison returned Thursday to RU for the first time since that victory, but this time with a different result. R.J. Price led four Highlanders in double figures, and the defense forced 21 turnovers in a 61-52 victory for RU.

The Highlanders won their 12th straight home opener and more importantly, found the victory circle for the first time this season.

"Coming in 0-2, we knew we had to come out and play well in front of our fans," Price said after leading the Highlanders with 14 points. Taj Owens added a career high 11, and Javonte Green and Rashun Davis chipped in 10 apiece. Green added eight rebounds and four steals, and Davis dished out a team-high five assists. Brandon Holcomb tied a career high with four blocked shots and added seven rebounds.

It was on the defensive end of the floor that Radford took control of the game. RU forced 13 first half turnovers and held the Bison to just 18 points in the first 20 minutes. Radford's offense sputtered in the first half, but still took a 20-18 lead into intermission. The Highlanders found their rhythm in the second half shooting 46 percent from the floor and putting up 41 points to pull away.

Radford head coach Mike Jones said he was pleased with his team's effort. "Howard stayed in that zone all night, and eventually we got to it, and we got to it by getting the ball inside. This was a game we won with effort and intensity." RU scored 32 of its 61 points in the paint and another 18 from the free throw line.

For the third straight game, the Highlanders pounded the offensive glass. RU grabbed 15 offensive boards and turned those opportunities into a 13-6 advantage in second chance points. The RU bench outscored Howard's 21-10.

The Bison were led by James Miller's 19 and James Daniel's 16 points.

Radford has a quick turnaround when it hosts Catawba at the Dedmon Center in the opening game of the Corpus Christi Coastal Classic on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
 
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