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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Justin Cousin
Radford Athletics Communications
57
Presbyterian PC 5-23, 1-16
59
Winner Radford RAD 13-16, 8-9
Presbyterian PC
5-23, 1-16
57
Final
59
Radford RAD
13-16, 8-9
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Presbyterian PC 20 37 57
Radford RAD 30 29 59

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

RADFORD HOLDS ON FOR 59-57 WIN, CLINCHES FIRST-ROUND BYE



Box Score (PDF)

GAME INFORMATION
  • Score: Radford 59, Presbyterian 57
  • Records: Radford (13-16, 8-9) | Presbyterian (5-23, 1-16)
  • Location: Dedmon Center | Radford, Va.
 
RADFORD, Va. – Presbyterian got a 75-foot 3-pointer to go in at end the first half Thursday night, but fortunately for Radford, the Blue Hose didn't make a shorter buzzer-beater at the end of the game and the Highlanders held on for a 59-57 victory in their regular-season home finale.
 
The win also ensured that the game was Radford's last at the Dedmon Center this season as it clinched at least sixth place in the conference and a first-round bye in the Big South Tournament, with help from losses by Campbell and Charleston Southern.
 
Ed Polite, Jr. led the way with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Donald Hicks added 11 points and seven boards and Justin Cousin chipped in 11 points as the Highlanders posted their first wire-to-wire win of the season.
 
However, they had to sweat it out until the very end despite jumping out to 10-point lead in the first six minutes. Beginning with Cousin's opening 3-pointer, four different players scored the team's first four baskets and another 3-pointer by Hicks made it 12-2. Caleb Tanner and Cousin each added treys, while Polite, Jr. totaled six points as Radford built a 20-9 edge with 8:43 left in the half. Cousin's third 3-pointer of the half pushed the lead to 28-15, but Reggie Dillard banked in a desperation heave from the Highlanders' foul line as the first ended to make it 30-20.
 
The margin was nine early in the second half before Presbyterian used a 7-0 run to get within two at the 12:10 mark. Four points from Tanner and putback by Devonnte Holland pushed the edge back up to seven, but the Blue Hose didn't go away, cutting it back down to a one-possession game on a layup by Dillard with 5:47 on the clock.
 
Christian Bradford then came up big with two clutch 3-pointers around one by Dillard, and four points from Hicks made it a 56-49 lead with just 1:47 left. After a Blue Hose 3-pointer, Tanner made two free throws for a six-point margin, but Presbyterian got a layup off of a steal to make it 58-54. Hicks converted one free throw, but a second 3-pointer by Darius Moore cut the deficit to 59-57. Bradford was unable to get another 3-pointer to go with 13 seconds left, giving the Blue Hose one more chance. However, Dillard's 3-point attempt from the right wing missed and they couldn't get a follow shot off before the buzzer sounded.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
  • Polite, Jr. made 7 of 13 shots in the game, while adding two assists, two steals and two blocks. The seven rebounds give him 491 for his career.
  • Hicks struggled shooting, but grabbed seven rebounds for the second straight game, while also contributing two assists and two steals.
  • Cousin tallied nine of his 11 points in the first half, going 4 for 9 from the field in the game, including 3 of 7 behind the arc.
  • The two 3-pointers made by Bradford in the last five minutes were his lone baskets of the game, coming after he missed his first five shots. He totaled seven points and three assists.
  • Tanner chipped in nine points, including two 3-pointers, while Holland contributed four points and six rebounds off the bench.
  • After an 8 for 18 shooting start, Radford settled for a 37-percent performance for the game, including 8 of 25 from long-range. It was just the second win of the season when shooting below 40 percent from the field.
  • However, the 20 points in first half was the fewest allowed by the Highlanders this season, six fewer than the previous low.
  • Radford held Presbyterian to 26 percent in the first half, although the Blue Hose improved to 48 percent in the second and finished at 38 for the game, including 8 of 17 3-pointers.
  • For the first time this season, Radford and its opponent tied in rebounding (at 36), the first time the Highlanders haven't had the edge in eight games.
  • However, the Highlanders committed a season-low seven turnovers, winning that battle for just fourth time of the season.
  • Reggie Dillard led PC's game effort with 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Moore added 12 points and Will Adams totaled 10, but just three in the second half.
 
QUOTABLE
  • "It was a fun game when it's over and you've got the W. Coach (Gregg) Nibert is a terrific coach and I knew that those guys were going to be ready. We knew we were going to get a battle. I'm just proud of our guys for really digging in and putting together a really good defensive performance for 40 minutes that gave us an opportunity to win the game. Even though the offense wasn't exactly where we wanted it to be, our defense was good enough to get us a win tonight. For our young guys to show resilience even when (Presbyterian) was making shots and we've got our backs against the wall and to come out on top, it just builds toughness for the future." ~ Radford head coach Mike Jones
 
UP NEXT
  • Radford wraps up the regular season with a road matchup at Campbell on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
 
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