STATESBORO, Ga. – Radford and Georgia Southern will meet for the fifth time ever on Friday night as the Highlanders travel to Statesboro to begin a four-game road slate. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET.
The two schools met a season ago and the Highlanders topped the Eagles, 80-68, on Dec. 21, 2018 inside the Dedmon Center. Carlik Jones and Travis Fields, Jr., connected for 33 points, led by Fields 18. As a team, Radford shot 50 percent from the floor and 44 percent behind the arc.
Jones and Fields Jr., have gotten off to a hot start this season as the two leaders of the backcourt are averaging a combined 38 points a game. Jones has scored 20 points or more in both outings this season and is averaging 25.5 points per game, which ranks 14th in the nation. Jones surpassed the 300 assists mark in his career and sits ninth with 302 in a Radford uniform.
Radford is coming off a 91-40 home opening victory over Bridgewater College. The Highlanders had 12 different point scorers, including four in double figures. Devine Eke claimed Radford's first double-double of the 2019-20 season with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes of play. Devin Hutchinson also poured in a career-high 17 points and went 4-of-7 from 3-point range.
Georgia Southern fell to North Florida, 80-77, in Jacksonville on Monday night. The Eagles opened the 2019-20 season inside a hostile Auburn Arena against No. 24 Auburn. Isaiah Crawley and Ike Smith's 16 points each weren't enough as the Tigers won, 83-74. However, Georgia Southern is 61-22 in Hanner Fieldhouse under Mark Byington.
The Eagles were picked third in the Sun Belt in the conference's Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches Poll. Quan Jackson was named first-team All-Sun Belt, while Smith was named second-team all-league and Crawley was named third team. Smith was named to the Lou Henson Award Preseason Watch List.
Fans can see the game on ESPN+ or tune in to WRAD 101.7 FM or WVRU 89.9 FM for the broadcast with the voice of the Highlanders, Rick Watson.
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.
