BLACKSBURG, Va. – Fluid ball movement created plenty of good looks, but cold shooting all game was too much to overcome for the Radford men's basketball team as it fell to Virginia Tech, 65-39, in Cassell Coliseum on Monday night.
 
The Highlanders (1-2, 0-0 Big South) mustered just seven made field goals in each half as they struggled to get shots through the net against a strong Virginia Tech defense. After starting 1-for-2 from three-point range, Radford went on an 0-for-19 skid and finished the game shooting 8.3% from beyond the arc.
 
The Hokies (3-0, 0-0 ACC) didn't fare a whole lot better in the first half, hitting an uncharacteristic 3-of-12 from deep through the first 20 minutes. They caught fire in the second half, however, and finished with 10 threes on a 43.5% mark.
 
Radford's biggest bright spot was its defense, which was disruptive from start to finish. The Highlanders collected a season-high 11 steals, including a career-high four steals from senior guard Josiah Jeffers, while VT turned the ball over a total of 15 times.
 
Junior forward Rashun Williams led the Highlanders with eight points while big men Lewis Djonkam and Shaquan Jules each finished with six. Jules also pulled down a team-high six rebounds.
 
Radford came out with an edge to start the game, going shot-for-shot with the Hokies and maintaining a tied game through the first media timeout. That's when the cold streak began, as the hosts went on a 13-0 run over seven minutes to pull away. Defense kept Radford in the game despite the slight offensive showing, and the Hokies took a slim seven-point lead into halftime.
 
Coach Nichols and his staff kept the intensity up, which was reflected in their players, but the second half comeback wasn't meant to be as Virginia Tech built a bigger and bigger lead. The Hokies ended the game on an 11-0 run and secured the win.
 
KEY STATS

• Radford falls to 2-10 all-time against New River Valley rival Virginia Tech
• The Hokies received the most votes of any team not to make the AP Top 25 on Monday
• Christiansburg native Austin Brown made his Radford debut, entering the game with 1:11 left in regulation
• Williams and Djonkam each recorded a block, giving Williams one in each game this season
• Radford and Virginia Tech tied with seven offensive rebounds each

 
NEXT UP
Radford hits the road to Greenville, S.C. for a multi-team event, hosted by Furman University. The Highlanders take on the Furman Paladins on Friday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. and then go head-to-head with the Navy Midshipmen the very next day, Nov. 20, at 5 p.m. in a neutral site contest.
 
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.