Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Carlik Jones Mean Mug
54
Charleston So. CSU 17-15
63
Winner Radford RAD 22-10
Charleston So. CSU
17-15
54
Final
63
Radford RAD
22-10
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Charleston So. CSU 29 25 54
Radford RAD 19 44 63

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

HIGHLANDERS COME BACK AGAINST NO. 6 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN; ADVANCE TO BIG SOUTH TITLE GAME


 
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Trailing by as many as 13 points in the second half, the second-seeded Radford men's basketball team once again showed the Big South and the nation how tough it is with a 63-54 come-from-behind victory over No. 6 Charleston Southern in Gore Arena on Friday night.
 
The Highlanders came out for the second half looking to make a splash, but at first were denied as all of their comeback efforts were rebuffed. The Buccaneers still led by 12 with 14:53 left in regulation. An old-fashion 3-point play by junior guard Travis Fields Jr. ignited something in each and every Radford player and from that point on they would go on a 14-0 run.
 
A pair of threes from way downtown courtesy of redshirt sophomore guard Carlik Jones were a major factor during that run and all of a sudden the Highlanders owned a 43-41 lead with 11:07 to go.
 
Radford battled with everything it had, losing the lead only one more time for the rest of the game before taking control and playing from ahead. Big free throws from Fields Jr. and junior guard Donald Hicks, as well as an exclamation-point dunk from Jones, secured the semifinal win.
 
After tallying only two points in the first half, Jones changed his shoes in the locker room and exploded for 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting over the final 20 minutes. He added eight rebounds, three assists and two steals for good measure.
 
Fields Jr. displayed the ice in his veins as well, making several clutch shots to finish with 16 points and six assists. Hicks had a slow night on offensive, but he contributed in a major way with a season-high 10 rebounds.
 
The victory improves Radford's overall record to 22-10 and advances them to the Big South championship game for the second consecutive season. Charleston Southern's season comes to an end with a record of 17-15.
 
Not much went right for the Highlanders in the first half as they struggled to find their rhythm on offense in any shape or form. Seven turnovers and a 7-for-29 (24%) shooting performance resulted in a 29-19 deficit heading into the halftime break.
 
Despite a slow start on offense, Radford looked to be in good shape early thanks to some very good defense. Back-to-back threes from senior guard Caleb Tanner flipped a deficit into a lead and the Highlanders pushed that lead to 15-11 with 9:21 left in the half.
 
From that moment on things slowed down big-time. Neither team could get any shots to fall and no points were scored three full minutes. Finally, Charleston Southern found its touch again and flew out on a 14-0 run that gave them a rare double digit lead as the half neared its end.

In the end, star Buccaneer player Christian Keeling was held below his season average with 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting. Only one other Buc (Phlandrous Fleming, 10 points) reached double figures.
 
PLAY OF THE GAME  
CRASH THE BOARDS
Radford dominated the boards for a 45-33 advantage in rebounds, making it 11 straight games with either a lead or a tie in overall rebounds. The Highlanders are now 18-3 in 2018-19 when out-rebounding their opponents.
 
AROUND THE BIG SOUTH
No. 4 Gardner-Webb at No. 1 Campbell – 8 p.m.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will face the winner of No. 1 Campbell and No. 4 Gardner-Webb in the Big South Championship game. That contest is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 10 in the arena of the highest remaining seed and will air 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.
 
Print Friendly Version