RADFORD, Va. – The new-look Radford Men's Basketball team got its first chance to gel in a preseason exhibition against Eastern Mennonite on Monday night, earning an 83-60 victory.
 
Ten different Highlanders got on the score sheet in the contest, led by junior forward Shaquan Jules with 14 points and eight rebounds. The Orlando, Fla. Native went 5-for-7 (71.4%) from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 at the free throw line.
 
South Florida transfer Rashun Williams showed what he brings to the table, nearly recording a double-double with eight points and 11 rebounds. He also added four blocks, two steals, and two assists.
 
Redshirt senior center Lewis Djonkam scored the first basket of the night, hitting a layup just 17 seconds in. Another layup from sophomore guard Xavier Lipscomb and a three-pointer by Camron McNeil pushed the Radford run to 7-0 and give the hosts early momentum.
 
The Highlanders carried that momentum throughout the first half, building the lead to 46-23 by halftime. As a team, they shot 59.4% from the field and exactly 50.0% from beyond the arc through the first 20 minutes.
 
Eastern Mennonite proved to be more of a test in the second half, using hot shooting from distance to pull within 14 at the final media timeout.
 
Williams had his best stretch of the game to put an end to the Royals' run, throwing down a monster dunk and then following it up with a corner three to restore Radford's lead to 24 with just over two minutes to go.
 
HIGHLANDER DEBUTS
Five newcomers to the program made their debuts in the Radford uniform: Camron McNeil, Tai'Reon Joseph, Artese Stapleton, Rashun Williams, and Austin Brown. Three of those players – McNeil, Joseph, and Williams, were placed into the starting lineup. Brown, a native of nearby Christiansburg, saw the floor for the first time after making the squad as a walk-on.
 
KEY STATS

• The Highlanders finished the game with a 47-31 advantage in rebounds
• Radford shot over 50% from the floor and over 40% from three. They reached both of those numbers in the same game just five times in 27 tries during the 2020-21 season
• Fourty-four points came from Radford's bench, compared to just 19 for the EMU bench
• Artese Stapleton played strong perimeter defense, tallying four steals on the night
• Bryan Hart and Dravon Mangum each contributed 11 points thanks to a combined three-point percentage of 54.5% (6-for-11)

 
SPECIAL THANK YOU TO FANS
Thank you to each and every member of Highlander Nation that came out to Monday night's game. It was the first basketball game in the Dedmon Center with no attendance limits since March 7, 2020 and it's a special feeling to have our Radford Family back together again.
 
NEXT UP
The Highlanders will take on Emory & Henry in the 2021-22 regular season opener on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Dedmon Center. Tickets can be purchased at radfordtickets.com and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
FOLLOW RADFORD MEN'S BASKETBALL
To follow the Radford men's basketball team throughout the season, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordHoops on Twitter, 'radfordhoops' Instagram or Radford Men's Basketball on Facebook.