RADFORD ON WAY TO FACE FIRST-PLACE UNC ASHEVILLE

Follow @RadfordMBB

GAME INFORMATION

SETTING THE STAGE

Radford is in the midst of a losing streak for only the second time this season after dropping back-to-back games to Winthrop and High Point
Meanwhile, UNC Asheville is riding a six-game winning streak to charge ahead of the pack and take over sole possession of first place in the Big South
Every game is more important than the last at this point of the season when only five regular season contests remain on the schedule

SERIES HISTORY

Saturday's contest will be the 72nd meeting of all-time between Radford and UNC Asheville. The Highlanders took a 36-35 lead in the series history with a 90-70 victory at the Dedmon Center in January
The two programs first met back in March of 1986 when the Bulldogs escaped with a 64-62 victory over the Highlanders in the Big South Tournament
Last season, Radford defeated UNC Asheville, 80-77, in a Dedmon Center overtime thriller before the Bulldogs got revenge with an 80-69 win in Asheville

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Record: 15-11 (8-5 Big South) | RPI: 156
Radford is in a bit of a rut as of late, dropping four of its last seven games to move to third in the conference standings
Eight of Radford's 26 games this season have been decided by three points or less. 18 have been by 10 or less points.
Wednesday's 60-61 loss to High Point was Radford's first one-point loss since dropping a 64-65 decision to Georgia Southern on Nov. 26, 2016
Against HPU, sophomore guard Donald Hicks set season highs for rebounds (8), free throws made (3) and free throws attempted (3) while matching a season high in assists (4) and leading Radford in scoring with 12 points
With 13 more against High Point, the Highlanders lead the Big South and sit 74^th in the nation in offensive rebounds per game with 11.8
Radford's defense continues to be stingy, allowing only 67.2 points per game. That's good for third-best in the Big South
The Highlanders' depth continues to be a strength. Nine different players have had a 10+ point game and seven different players have recorded a game where they led the team in assists
Sophomore center Devonnte Holland has been the first player off the bench for Radford in 20 of 26 games this season
Junior forward Ed Polite Jr. has six double-doubles this season and 26 for his career

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS

Record: 17-9 (10-3 Big South) | RPI: 115
Head Coach Nick McDevitt is in his fifth season at the helm of the UNC Asheville men's basketball program. He has led them to an 94-62 record over that time
UNC Asheville received 23 of the 29 possible first-place votes to top the Big South Preseason Coaches Poll
They are a perfect 11-0 in Kimmel Arena this season, the last remaining team in the conference to be undefeated at home
Guards MaCio Teague and Ahmad Thomas were named to the Preseason All-Big South First Team. The duo currently leads the Bulldogs in scoring with 16.3 and 16.0 points per game respectively
Senior guard Kevin Vannatta was a Preseason All-Big South Second Team selection and was just named to the Senior CLASS Award candidate's list this week. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities
The Bulldogs have reached the postseason two seasons in a row, first playing in the NCAA Tournament in 2016 and then participating in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament in 2017
UNC Asheville ranks third in the Big South with 75.2 points per game, but they also rank ninth in scoring defense with 72.6 points allowed per game
Three-point shooting is the Bulldogs' calling card. They lead the conference with a .389 shooting percentage on 512 attempts from beyond the arc

NEXT HOME GAME

After heading to North Carolina for a 2 p.m. showdown with UNC Asheville this Saturday, the Highlanders return home for their second-to-last home game of the season
Radford welcomes Campbell to the Dedmon Center for a second nationally broadcasted contest on ESPNU next Thursday, February 15^th at 9 p.m.
To purchase tickets, visit radfordtickets.com or call the ticket office at (540) 831-7889

For the latest on Radford Athletics, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Highlander Happenings.

Players Mentioned