RADFORD HOSTS RIVAL LIBERTY FOR KEY MATCHUP SATURDAY

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SETTING THE STAGE

The Radford men's basketball team begins a stretch of three home games out of four Saturday afternoon when it welcomes in-state rival and conference co-leader Liberty to the Dedmon Center.
Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., following the Highlander women's game against Longwood (2 p.m.)
Series History: Radford upped its all-time edge in the series to 37-31 with a regular-season sweep last year, although both games came down to the final minute. The Highlanders are 24-8 at home against the Flames, including three straight wins.
Last meeting: Radford 69, Liberty 67 (Feb. 18, 2016)
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Game Notes: Radford | Liberty

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Record: 8-9, 3-2
With his season-high 23-point outing against Charleston Southern, Justin Cousin is now the third Highlander in double figures for the season at 10.4 ppg.
Cousin is averaging 14.2 ppg during Big South play – second on the team – while ranking fourth in the conference in made 3's per game (3.0) and sixth in 3-point percentage (50.0).
Over the last 10 games, the redshirt junior is shooting 48 percent from the field and 52 percent (29 of 56) behind the arc. He has made at least three 3-pointers in six of those games.
Ed Polite, Jr. posted his sixth double-double of the season on Wednesday, equaling the total from his freshman campaign. He has now grabbed at least 10 rebounds seven times this season and 14 times in his career.
The sophomore, who is averaging 10.4 ppg and 9.6 rpg, has also led the team in steals nine times and both assists and blocks five times during the campaign.
Polite, Jr. leads the league in rebounding with 9.6 per game, while Randy Phillips is 13th at 5.1. On the offensive end, they rank second and third, respectively, (3.2 and 2.9 per game). Phillips is second in conference action at 3.6.
Radford is averaging a league-best 40.4 rebounds per game in league play, including 13.6 offensive boards.
The Highlanders have outrebounded their opponent in 14 of the 17 games, but lost the turnover battle in 15 contests.
The Charleston Southern game was the first in Big South play in which Caleb Tanner did not reach double figures as well as make at least two 3-pointers. Tanner still ranks 27th nationally with his 44.4 percentage behind the arc.
In its five conference games, Radford has shot 45.6 percent from 3-point range and 42.3 percent on two-point attempts.
The Highlanders are 6-2 this season after a loss.

SCOUTING LIBERTY

Record: 9-9, 4-1
Liberty enters Saturday in a three-way tie for first in the Big South with Winthrop and UNC Asheville, and is coming off of a 62-58 victory at High Point on Wednesday, to improve to 3-0 in conference road games.
The Flames trailed by nine in the first half and led for less than four minutes of game time, but got two big 3-pointers by leading scorer Ryan Kemrite late to pull out the victory.
Liberty started league play with back-to-back road wins at Presbyterian and Charleston Southern and also beat Campbell at home. Its lone loss was to UNC Asheville.
Kemrite, a junior guard, is averaging 13.6 ppg while shooting 53 percent from the field, including 45 percent (39 of 86) on 3-pointers.
Preseason All-Big South first team pick John Dawson is averaging 8.9 ppg, while leading the team with 55 assists (3.1 per game).
Sophomore guard Lovell Cabill is just behind with 8.1 ppg for the season, but has averaged 11.8 in the five Big South games.
Second-leading scorer Caleb Homesley (12.9 ppg) has not played in the last eight games.
In conference play, Liberty leads the league points allowed (62.6) and is second in field-goal percentage defense, 3-point defense and turnover margin. Offensively, the Flames are eighth in scoring (66.6), but fifth in field-goal percentage (43.9) and 3-point percentage and fourth in made 3's per game.
Liberty is last among Big South teams in rebounding, grabbing just 25.2 per game in conference action.