RADFORD CLINCHES WINNING SEASON WITH STUDENT-SUPPORTED VICTORY OVER ASHEVILLE

BOX SCORE RADFORD, Va. - The only way to reach the Dedmon Center on Thursday night was by foot as nearly two feet of snow forced game administration to close the nationally-televised game between Radford and UNC Asheville to the general public. Still, over 1,500 RU students made the trek through the snow to cheer the Highlanders to a 102-92 win past the Bulldogs.

Rashun Davis and Ya Ya Anderson each scored 21 points to lead the Highlanders to the come-from-behind win. Asheville stormed to a 21-6 lead in the game's first six minutes, but Radford slowly chipped away with solid play by Javonte Green and Anderson.

Green's steal and breakaway dunk gave Radford its first lead of the night, and one it would never give up, 37-36 with 5:27 remaining in the first half. Green scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half and just missed a third-straight double-double with a game-high nine rebounds. Anderson knocked in 15 of his 21 in the first 20 minutes.

"It wasn't an ideal start, but I liked the way our guys showed their resolve," head coach Mike Jones said.

The Highlanders rode the momentum created by the raucous student section all night. So much so that Jones thanked the crowd following the game.

"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming across that bridge and down that hill in the snow tonight and the rest of the season," Jones said to the cheering crowd.

Davis and Brandon Holcomb dominated play in the second half for the Highlanders. Davis scored 15 of his 21, and Holcomb finished the game with 11 points and a career high four blocked shots. He also grabbed seven rebounds. Davis dished out a game-high five assists as well.

The Radford win overshadowed a record-setting performance by the Bulldogs' Andrew Rowsey. The freshman scored a Dedmon Center record 41 points in the loss on 14-28 shooting from the field. Corey Littlejohn added 15 and Jaron Lane and Sam Hughes 10 apiece for UNC Asheville (13-12, 7-4).

"We knew coming into the game how explosive both their team and Rowsey could be," Jones said. "We got just enough stops in key spots and got out in transition. It was a total team effort."

The victory assures Radford (17-9, 7-4) of its first winning season under Jones, who is in his third season with the Highlanders. It also moves RU into a tie for first place in the Big South North Division.

The Highlanders have a quick turnaround with High Point visiting the Dedmon Center for a 4:00 p.m. start on Saturday.

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