Men's Basketball 1/3/2021 4:08:00 PM

Radford Hosts Hampton for Two-Game Series, Monday’s Game on ESPNU

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's basketball team will host Hampton for a back-to-back two-game series beginning Monday night. In a series of schedule changes among teams in the Big South, Monday's game is set to tip at 7 p.m., and can be seen on ESPNU. Tuesday's game time is still slated for 6 p.m.

In a battle of 3-1 teams in conference play, both teams look to get back on track after dropping their first Big South contests last time out. Radford (4-6, 3-1 Big South) fell in heartbreaking fashion at Presbyterian, 65-63, and Hampton (4-5, 3-1 Big South) dropped an 80-69 contest to Gardner-Webb.

Down two with eight seconds left in regulation against Presbyterian, Quinton Morton-Robertson had a good look with an open lane but failed to convert the tough shot as time expired. Nonetheless, every time Presbyterian pulled ahead, Radford remained in it with key shots down the stretch. Dravon Mangum picked up a career-high 16 points, while Lewis Djonkam picked up his second career double-double in the final game against the Blue Hose.

Strong defense and getting to the foul line have been two things the Highlanders have done well this season. Radford ranks first in the league in field goal percentage defense, holding teams to 40.0 percent and first in scoring defense allowing just 62.2 points per game – also ranking 32^nd in the NCAA. The Highlanders have gotten to the charity stripe 21.3 times per game this season, which is first in the Big South.

Radford's 366 rebounds are also first in the Big South. Chyree Walker has corralled 69 rebounds (6.9 per game) and ranks first in the league in total rebounds. His 6.9 boards per outing ranks fourth in the league.

Hampton's Edward Oliver-Hampton ranks first in the Big South with 7.7 rebounds per game. He's also tallied a league-high three double-doubles. He's one of four players averaging in double-figure scoring for the Pirates with 10.0 points per game.

Davion Warren leads the team with 19.7 points per game. He also leads the league in scoring. The senior guard and Hampton are averaging 70.0 points per game, but are being outscored by opponents by 3.4 points (73.4).

However, the Pirates have won three of their last four games, including two against Charleston Southern and one against Gardner-Webb. Hampton opened its season with an 82-78 win over George Washington but lost four straight until topping CSU on Dec. 21.

This will be the 12^th and 13^th meetings between Hampton and Radford. The Highlanders lead the all-time series 6-5, but dropped the most recent meeting in last year's Big South Tournament. No team has won more than two straight games in the series history.

Presbyterian vs. UNC Asheville was originally slated as the first ESPNU Wild Card game, but was postponed due to a pause within the Presbyterian program for COVID-19 concerns. Therefore, Radford's Monday night game can be seen on ESPNU or heard on WRAD 101.7 FM or WVRU 89.9 FM.

With the PC-AVL series being postponed, our @ESPNU #BigSouthMBB?? Wildcard matchup with feature @Hampton_MBB and @RadfordMBB!

??: https://t.co/p8C8UHh6Jk pic.twitter.com/3igmkssJb6
— Big South Conference (@BigSouthSports) January 3, 2021

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Players Mentioned

#22 Lewis Djonkam: C; 6' 9"; Redshirt Junior

#20 Dravon Mangum: F; 6' 8"; Redshirt Sophomore

#2 Quinton Morton-Robertson: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#14 Chyree Walker: F; 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#22 Lewis Djonkam
: 6' 9"; Redshirt Junior
: C

#20 Dravon Mangum
: 6' 8"; Redshirt Sophomore
: F

#2 Quinton Morton-Robertson
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#14 Chyree Walker
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior
: F