IN-STATE RIVAL LONGWOOD COMES TO RADFORD ON SATURDAY TO BEGIN BIG SOUTH PLAY

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RADFORD, Va. – After a successful non-conference slate, the Radford men's basketball team begins play in the Big South when it hosts Longwood this Saturday.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Longwood Lancers (10-5, 0-0 Big South)
Date/Time: Saturday, January 5 at 4:30 p.m.
Location: Dedmon Center (Radford, Va.)
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DOUBLEHEADER TICKET DEAL
Saturday will be a day full of Radford basketball! The women's squad takes on UNC Asheville at 2 pm before the men's team hosts Longwood at 4:30 pm and fans can purchase tickets to both games for the price of one! Head to RadfordTickets.com or call (540) 831-7889 to get your tickets today.

LAST TIME OUT
Junior center Devonnte Holland's career day fueled a balanced scoring attack as the Radford men's basketball team earned an 80-51 victory over Mars Hill in the final non-conference contest of the season on Tuesday.

Holland, a native of nearby Martinsville, Va., either tied or posted new career highs in points scored (16), field goals made (6), field goals attempted (9) and free throws made (4). He shot 66.7-percent from the field and a perfect 100.0-percent at the charity stripe. He added four rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal for good measure.

Senior forward Ed Polite Jr. flirted with a double-double at 12 points and nine rebounds while swatting a season-high three blocks. Senior guard Caleb Tanner contributed 11 points and redshirt sophomore guard Carlik Jones notched 10 points of his own.

SERIES HISTORY
Radford and Longwood have met 29 times over the years with the Highlanders earning a 22-7 lead in the series. Since the Lancers joined the Big South seven seasons ago, Radford has gone 9-4 against its in-state rival.

The Highlanders went 3-0 against Longwood during the 2017-18 season including a 59-53 victory in the Big South Tournament Quarterfinals. Donald Hicks drilled five 3-pointers in that game to notch 16 points while Carlik Jones and Ed Polite, Jr. finished with 13 points each.

BIG SOUTH OPENERS
The Highlanders are on a tear in Big South openers over the last few years, winning three straight.

2015-16: 56-52 win vs. Liberty
2016-17: 80-77 (OT) win vs. UNC Asheville
2017-18: 78-62 win at Presbyterian

SCOUTING THE LANCERS
Longwood has arguably been the Big South's biggest surprise so far this season, leading the conference in wins (10) and winning percentage (.667) through 15 games. The 2018-19 version of the Lancers became the fastest team to reach double-digit wins since the 2000-01 season with a win over The Citadel on Dec. 29.

The Big South Conference preseason media poll tabbed the Lancers to finish 10^th out of 11 teams in the league, keeping expectations low in head coach Griff Aldrich's first year at the helm of the program. Redshirt senior guard Isaiah Walton was named to the Preseason All-Big South Second Team and he's living up to the billing with a team-high 18.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

The addition of junior guard Shabooty Phillips (14.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.9 apg) from Trinity Valley Community College has been a major boost, but the Lancers' biggest improvement is on the defensive end. They currently lead the Big South in scoring defense (64.3 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (.386).

NEXT HOME GAME
After traveling to Spartanburg, S.C. to face USC Upstate for the first time as a Big South opponent, the Highlanders return to the Dedmon Center to host Presbyterian on Saturday, Jan. 12. The game is slated for 4:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

FOLLOW RADFORD MEN'S BASKETBALL
To follow the Radford men's basketball team, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordMBB on Twitter, 'radfordmbb' on Instagram or Radford Men's Basketball on Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Donald Hicks: G; 6' 3"; Junior

#15 Devonnte Holland: C; 6' 7"; Junior

#1 Carlik Jones: G; 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore

#24 Ed Polite, Jr.: F; 6' 5"; Senior

#10 Caleb Tanner: G; 6' 1"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#5 Donald Hicks
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G

#15 Devonnte Holland
: 6' 7"; Junior
: C

#1 Carlik Jones
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore
: G

#24 Ed Polite, Jr.
: 6' 5"; Senior
: F

#10 Caleb Tanner
: 6' 1"; Senior
: G