RADFORD HOSTS NON-CONFERENCE FINALE FRIDAY AFTERNOON

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SETTING THE STAGE

The Radford men's basketball team will cap off the non-conference portion of its schedule Friday afternoon when it hosts Grace College for a 3 p.m. contest.
The Highlanders will be facing Grace, a member of the NAIA and NCCAA, for the first time, but own a 35-game winning streak against non-NCAA Division I opponents and are 65-6 all-time against them.
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HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Record: 4-7
Radford looks to complete a perfect 4-0 home non-conference record.
The Highlanders are shooting 48 percent inside the Dedmon Center, while holding opponents to 37 percent and an average of 64.0 ppg.
In the three home games, Justin Cousin is averaging 13.0 ppg and 5.7 assists, Caleb Tanner is at 12.7 ppg, while shooting 56 percent (9 of 18 on 3's), and Ed Polite, Jr. has tallied 12.5 ppg and 12.5 rebounds per contest.
Cousin has scored at least 12 points and made three or more 3-pointers in three of the last four games overall, shooting 10 for 19 from beyond the arc in that span. He is now averaging 8.1 ppg.
Tanner remains tied for third in the Big South in made 3-pointers per game (2.3). He has connected on multiple 3's in seven games.
Radford has won the rebounding battle in seven of its last eight games (exception was North Carolina) and eight of the 11 on the season. It remains third among Big South teams in rebounding per game and first in offensive boards.
Six different players are averaging 3.0 or more rebounds per contest and Sterling Christy is coming off a career-high 10 on Tuesday.
A total of 10 Highlanders have had at least one double-figure scoring performance on the season.

SCOUTING GRACE COLLEGE

Record: 8-7
Head coach Jim Kessler is in his 40th season at the helm of the Lancers' program. He owns 751 career victories and was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Grace won the NAIA national title in 1992 and has posted a runner-up and third-place national NCCAA finish during the last three seasons.
After an 8-1 start this year, the Lancers have lost six straight, including an 86-72 decision to West Virginia Tech on Tuesday.
Junior forward Erik Bowen leads the team with 14.9 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.
Three other players are in double figures, five average at least nine points per game and seven contribute over seven per contest.
The Lancers average 87.5 points per game, while allowing 84.2. They are shooting 47 percent overall and 43 percent on 3-point attempts.
This will be the program's first game against a Division I opponent since 2009.

UP NEXT

Following the break for Christmas, Radford will be back at home next Thursday to open up Big South Conference play against defending tournament champion UNC Asheville. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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