RADFORD SECURES NO. 3 SEED WITH SENIOR NIGHT VICTORY OVER FIGHTING CAMELS

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RADFORD, Va. - Radford closed out its home season at the Dedmon Center with an 82-78 win over Campbell on Wednesday giving the Highlanders their 10th triumph at home and sending off senior Allen Dickerson on a winning note. With the victory, Radford assures itself the No. 3 seed from the North Division in the Big South standings heading into next week's conference tournament.

R.J. Price erupted for 24 points and hit the decisive three-pointer to break a 73-73 tie with 1:45 to play. The Highlanders, who led by as many as 16 early in the second half, withstood a couple furious rallies by the Camels to prevail and earn RU's first win over Campbell since it rejoined the league three years ago.

"I saw resolve tonight. We were determined." Radford head coach Mike Jones said of his team's ability to close out the game. "What I didn't see was panic. It was nice to see our guys finish it off with a win."

Both teams shot the ball well at over 50 percent for the game, but it was Campbell's accuracy from behind the arc that spurred the comeback. The Camels hit 9-12 from deep in the second half and shot 64.5 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes to make things interesting down the stretch. Unlike the matchup earlier in the season when Campbell overcame a 13-point RU lead to win 65-63, the Highlanders had an answer on this night.

That answer was Price. He scored six of the team's final nine points, including hitting 3-4 clutch free throws to ice the game.

It was the Radford defense in the first half that helped the Highlanders build a 13-point lead by the intermission. The Highlanders forced eight turnovers and held the Camels to 41 percent shooting. Price scored 14 of his two dozen, including four three-point baskets.

For the game, Radford forced 17 Campbell miscues and turned those into an 18-7 advantage in points off turnovers. RU's aggressive play on offense allowed the Highlanders to outscore CU 16-3 at the free throw line. It was a loose ball, however, won by Brandon Holcomb, that led to the go-ahead three-point basket by Price.

After Campbell tied the game on its 13th and final three-point basket of the night with 2:03 to play, Holcomb mishandled a pass in the post, but recovered to find Price wide open for the go-ahead three.

"That was a huge play," Jones said. "Brandon made two of those, a defensive rebound late and then that one on the offensive end. Jalen Carethers also made a big play at the end of the first half. He just didn't give up on the play. We were determined, and it made a huge difference."

Kion Brown added 12 points for the Highlanders, and Ya Ya Anderson knocked in 11. Javonte Green was below his averages with nine points and four rebounds, but tied a season high with four steals. Dickerson scored five points in his first career start.

Campbell (12-18, 6-9) was led by 18 points apiece from Andrew Ryan and D.J. Mason. The Camels dominated the glass, 33-20 in all, and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds.

Radford (19-11, 9-6) can reach the 20-win plateau in its regular season finale on Saturday, a 4:30 tip at Liberty. The Highlanders do know they will face Presbyterian in the opening round of the Big South Tournament next Wednesday in Conway, S.C. at a time yet to be determined.

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