HARRISONBURG, Va. – Second half turnovers stifled the Radford men's basketball team as it dropped a 79-70 decision to James Madison in the Atlantic Union Bank Center on Saturday night.
 
The Highlanders (4-6, 0-0 Big South) led by as many as 14 points in the first half and trailed by as many as 12 in the second half. They battled until the very end, cutting the deficit to two with just over two minutes to play. In response, JMU (9-2, 0-0 CAA) ended the game on an 8-1 run and secured the win on its home floor.
 
Dravon Mangum and Camron McNeil led Radford with 12 points each while Tai'Reon Joseph came in right behind with 11 points on his own. The trio combined to hit seven 3-pointers, helping the Highlanders shoot 42.4% from long range.
 
It was a complete team effort cleaning up the glass as eight different players pulled down at least three rebounds, led by six from both Artese Stapleton and Rashun Williams. Stapleton added five assists, but it was Xavier Lipscomb who had a game-high seven assists of his own accord.
 
The effort and ball movement were near perfection in the first half, as the Highlanders racked up 12 assists on 17 made baskets. Lipscomb, who played a larger role in the game after an early injury to Josiah Jeffers, dished out five of those assists himself.
 
On the other end of the passes were guys like Joseph, who caught fire and made a trio of 3-pointers. Most importantly, Radford only turned the ball over four times over the first 20 minutes of action.
 
After a JMU jumper put the hosts ahead, 26-25, the Highlanders grabbed all the momentum and looked like they couldn't miss. They went on a 16-3 run over the final 5:22 of the first period to take a 41-29 lead into the break.
 
Thanks to a smooth jump shot by Camron McNeil, Radford continued its scoring streak into the second half, but the game devolved from there.
 
The Dukes ramped up their defensive pressure, extending it the full length of the court, and Radford struggled to find a solution. Turnovers piled up and Radford gave the ball away a total 14 times in the second half.
 
JMU shot 60.7% from the floor and added an extra 13 points from the charity stripe to outscore Radford, 50-29.
 
KEY STATS

• The Highlanders earned a 41-33 advantage in the rebounding battle
• Since hitting just one against Navy, Radford has knocked down nine or more threes in four of its last five games
• JMU was awarded 34 free throws compared to just 14 for the Highlanders
• No game this season, win or loss, has been decided by less than nine points

 
STARTER SHUFFLE
Saturday night's starting five of Artese Stapleton, Josiah Jeffers, Tai'Reon Joseph, Rashun Williams and Lewis Djonkam was the Highlanders' sixth different starting lineup in 10 games this season.
 
NEXT UP
The Highlanders make the daunting drive into Washington, D.C. to take on the George Washington Colonials on Monday, Dec. 13. The game is currently slated for a 7 p.m. tip and 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.