RADFORD HOSTS HAMPTON FOR SENIOR DAY ON SATURDAY

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RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's basketball team welcomes Hampton to the Dedmon Center for the first time as Big South opponents on Saturday. It's the final regular season home game of the 2018-19 campaign meaning it's Senior Day for the Highlanders.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Hampton Pirates (11-15, 6-7 Big South)
Date/Time: Saturday, February 23 at 5 p.m.
Location: Dedmon Center (Radford, Va.)
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LAST TIME OUT
The Radford men's basketball team shot 61.3-percent and scored 50 points in the second half to overcome a halftime deficit and earn a season-altering 87-81 victory over Winthrop at the Dedmon Center on Thursday night.

Just like their first meeting with the Eagles this year, the Highlanders trailed by two at halftime and just like that first game the Highlanders shot the lights out over the final 20 minutes. They went 19-for-31 from the floor and 6-for-11 (54.5%) from beyond the arc after halftime in front of a huge crowd.

Senior forward Ed Polite Jr. led the way with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting and six rebounds. Redshirt sophomore guard Carlik Jones started the game 0-for-6, but bounced back to go 7-for-9 over the final 24 minutes and finish the game with 16 points, eight assists, four rebounds and four steals.

Martinsville native Devonnte Holland was a key player off the bench, contributing 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting and five rebounds. Junior guard Donald Hicks rounded out Radford's top scoring performances, hitting four 3-pointers to score 12 points while pulling down six rebounds.

SERIES HISTORY
In seven all-time meetings between Radford and Hampton, the Highlanders lead 4-3. Radford grabbed a 77-68 victory down in 757 on Jan. 7, 2000 to start the series and finally ended a five-year break when the two teams met earlier this season.

On Feb. 7 of this year, Radford went into Hampton and pulled off a thrilling 101-98 overtime victory thanks to buzzer-beating threes at the end of regulation and at the end of the extra period by Carlik Jones. Travis Fields Jr. had a career day with 33 points, seven rebounds and five assists right near his hometown of Portsmouth.

SENIOR DAY
Saturday marks the final regular season home game for the five seniors associated with the Radford men's basketball program so they will be honored in a pregame ceremony. Ed Polite Jr., Caleb Tanner, Tristan Owens, Mawdo Sallah and Colton Southall (team manager) will all be included and they will be accompanied by their families.

POLITE PASSES TWO GREATS
With 22 points on Thursday night, senior forward Ed Polite Jr. pushed his career total to 1,468. He climbed up the all-time scoring charts, passing both Don Burgess (1990-94) and Raymond Arrington (1999-03) who poured in 1,452 and 1,456 points as Highlanders.

COMEBACK KIDS
The Highlanders once again displayed their ability to face adversity head-on against Winthrop, coming back from a double-digit deficit in the first half and a two-point deficit at halftime to earn the win. Radford is now 6-5 in games where it trailed at halftime and 5-3 in games following a loss this season.

SCOUTING THE PIRATES
Hampton moved out of the MEAC and into the Big South in the summer of 2018 and expectations were high right away. The conference's Preseason Poll tabbed the Pirates to finish third out of 11 teams and junior guard Jermaine Marrow was immediately placed on the Preseason All-Conference Team. Now through 26 games, the new kids on the block are 11-15 overall and 6-7 against Big South opposition.

As the nation's sixth-leading scorer, there are no doubts that Marrow has lived up to his billing. The Newport News, Va. native is averaging 25.3 points per game while also leading his team in assists at 5.1 per game. Senior guard Kalin Fisher is quietly having a great season as well, scoring 17.1 points with 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game.

The Pirates rank in the top-100 out of 353 Division I teams in the nation in several statistical categories including rebounds per game (28th), free throw percentage (11th), free throws made (22nd), fewest turnovers (37th) and scoring offense (25th). They have played well at home, but are just 2-10 on the road.

UP NEXT
Radford hits the road for a midweek showdown at High Point on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7 pm. The game 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

#2 Tristan Owens: F; 6' 5"; Senior

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#2 Tristan Owens
: 6' 5"; Senior
: F

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

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