RADFORD MAKES RETURN TRIP TO CHARLESTON SOUTHERN ON SATURDAY

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RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's basketball team defeated Charleston Southern in their first meeting this season, but the Highlanders will have to fend off the Buccaneers at least one more time this season when they visit the Buc Dome this weekend.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Charleston Southern Buccaneers (11-13, 5-6 Big South)
Date/Time: Saturday, February 16 at 5:30 p.m.
Location: The Buc Dome (Charleston, S.C.)
Watch Live (ESPN3)
Listen Live (WRAD 101.7 FM)
Live Stats

LAST TIME OUT
Battle tested time and time again in close conference games this season, the Radford men's basketball team made winning plays when it mattered most to come away with a 69-66 victory over High Point at the Dedmon Center on Saturday afternoon.

With the Highlanders leading 59-56 and 25 seconds remaining on the clock in regulation, the Panthers got a huge 3-pointer from Jahaad Proctor to tie things up, but Carlik Jones had another chance at a buzzer-beater. The redshirt sophomore guard launched a jumper from the wing, but this time it wasn't meant to be and Radford entered overtime for the second straight game.

Radford went 5-for-6 from the free throw line in the extra period and Jones forced a turnover on High Point's final possession to seal another nail-biting win.

SERIES HISTORY
Another one of Radford's oldest rivals, the Highlanders own a 47-28 record across 75 all-time meetings with Charleston Southern. The two sides have split the season series in back-to-back years including the 2017-18 season when Radford earned a nail-biting 64-61 win in Charleston before dropping an 84-81 overtime contest in the Dedmon Center.

Radford earned an 86-78 victory at home when the two sides played earlier this season. Ed Polite Jr. had an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double while Travis Fields Jr. (14), Carlik Jones (13), Mawdo Sallah (12) and Caleb Tanner (12) all scored in double figures. Ty Jones had an unbelievable game for the Bucs with 23 points on 10-of-12 shooting.

CLOSE CALLS
The Highlanders have played in several close games this season, but thanks to their vast experience in tight situations they have managed to stay calm under pressure and get the job done. Radford is currently 5-1 in games decided by three points or less and are 2-0 in overtime games.

CHARITY STRIPE SUCCESS
Everyone knows that getting to the free throw line is important in the game of college basketball, but just how important is it? Well, when the Highlanders have more free throw attempts than their opponents, they are 10-0 during the 2018-19 season. When being outshot at the charity stripe, they are 7-6.

SCOUTING THE BUCCANEERS
Charleston Southern has played better since its loss to Radford on Jan. 24, going 3-2 with wins over Gardner-Webb, Presbyterian and USC Upstate. The Big South Preseason Poll tabbed the Bucs to finish fifth out of 11 teams after they went 9-9 against league competition a season ago.

Preseason All-Big South selection Christian Keeling has lived up to his lofty expectations, leading the team in points per game (18.4), rebounds per game (6.5), assists (73), steals (29) and blocks (18). The junior guard is one of only 22 players in the nation to have recorded a triple-double this season and he ranks in the top 100 in the country in both points per game and total field goal attempts.

As a team, the Buccaneers have proven to be very strong defensively thanks in large part to their propensity to force turnovers. Nationally, they rank seventh in turnovers forced per game (17.92), 20^th in steals per game (8.4) and 22nd in turnover margin (3.7). They're also a strong rebounding squad, pulling down 13.35 offensive rebounds per game which ranks 18th in the country.

NEXT HOME GAME
The Highlanders have one final home stand in the 2018-19 season, beginning with a highly anticipated rematch with Winthrop. The game is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Dedmon Center and will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Tickets can be purchased on RadfordTickets.com or by calling the Radford Ticket Office at (540) 831-7889 during business hours.

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

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

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

#20 Mawdo Sallah: F/C; 6' 8"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

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

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

#20 Mawdo Sallah
: 6' 8"; Graduate Student
: F/C

Players Mentioned

#1 Carlik Jones

#10 Caleb Tanner

#20 Mawdo Sallah

Players Mentioned

#1 Carlik Jones

#10 Caleb Tanner

#20 Mawdo Sallah