RADFORD ADVANCES WITH 78-73 WIN OVER PRESBYTERIAN

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CONWAY, S.C. - Five players scored in double figures, and Radford (21-11) survived a furious rally by Presbyterian (6-26) to post a 78-73 victory in the opening round of the VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Basketball Tournament on Wednesday. Ya Ya Anderson's 18 points led the Highlanders to their first tournament win since 2010. Javonte Green added 16 points and nine rebounds.

With the Highlanders leading by 15 midway through the second half and seemingly on the cusp of putting the game in hand, PC's Jordan Downing had other ideas. Downing scored 24 of his game-high 32 points in the second half and led the Blue Hose back to within a single point, 74-73, with just under half a minute to play.

Rashun Davis, who finished with 10 points for RU and none bigger than the final two free throws he hit with 20 ticks remaining to give Radford a 76-73 edge. Downing short-rimmed his game-tying attempt from well behind the arc, and Green secured the rebound and a pair of free throws to ice the game.

"That was a lot of fun. We have played like that all year, where we've gotten big leads, found a way to give it back, and then find a way to win it at the end," Radford head coach Mike Jones said. "From here on out though, we're going to start putting teams away because our players feel like we can put teams away. We were able to finish the deal and get our first win in the Big South Tournament since I've been here."

The first tournament triumph did not come easily. PC opened the second half on a 10-0 run to erase a 33-27 halftime lead for the Highlanders. RU answered with a 17-3 spurt to again push the lead to double figures as it had done in the first half leading 18-7 in the first eight minutes of the game. The lead grew to 58-43 with 9:58 to play on a couple free throws by Jalen Carethers, who tallied 11 points and tied a career high with eight rebounds.

Downing scored 17 points in the final 10 minutes, but Radford had just enough to answer and move to Friday's quarterfinal vs. UNC Asheville.

Radford's defense forced 13 turnovers and converted that into an 18-11 edge in points off miscues. The Highlanders also grabbed 12 offensive rebounds for a 14-4 advantage in second chance points. PC shot 56.6 percent from the field and hit nine treys to keep the game in question, but in the end, Radford left the HTC Center with its conference-best 21st win of the season and a date against the Bulldogs on Friday.

R.J. Price added 15 points for the Highlanders as the fifth player in double figures for the victors.

Presbyterian had three additional players in double figures along with with Downing. Reggie Dillard finished with 13, and both William Truss and Austin Anderson had 10.

Radford and UNC Asheville will square off Friday at 2:00 p.m. with a berth in the semifinals on the line.

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