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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Jules
61
USC Upstate USCU 3-12,3-6 Big South
63
Winner Radford Rad 12-7,11-2 Big South
USC Upstate USCU
3-12,3-6 Big South
61
Final
63
Radford Rad
12-7,11-2 Big South
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
USC Upstate USCU 29 32 61
Radford Rad 28 35 63

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Big Men Combine for 52 as Radford Outlasts USC Upstate

RADFORD, Va. – It was a battle all night between the Radford men's basketball team and USC Upstate, but the Highlanders prevailed after some late drama in a 63-61 victory on Thursday night that saw the forwards and centers combine for 52 points.
 
Chyree Walker stepped in and gave up the body for a crucial play with 4.2 seconds remaining in a one-possession game. The charge he took erased a Tommy Bruner basket that would've given the Spartans a one-point edge.
 
However, the Highlanders (12-7, 11-2 Big South) were fouled after the inbounds play and only converted one of two free throws, giving the Spartans one final shot with less than four seconds left. Bruner caught the inbounds pass and dribbled to half court. He doubled pumped, threw up a heave and drained it putting the Spartans ahead, 64-63.
 
As the Spartans (3-12, 3-6 Big South) were celebrating the referees went to the monitor for another look. The ball was still in Bruner's hands as the light went off on the backboard and the final buzzer sounded. That caused the Highlander bench to erupt with a 63-61 victory and their 11th conference win of the season.
 
That great defensive play by Walker was the icing on the cake as he picked up his fourth double-double of the season. He led with 13 rebounds and chipped in 12 points.
 
He was one of four players to score in double-figures as Lewis Djonkam led all players with 14 points, followed by Shaquan Jules and Dravon Mangum's 13 apiece. The four bigs combined for 52 points.
 
The Highlanders also had 52 points in the paint, outscoring the Spartans by 36 in that category. Along with the difference of points in the paint, Radford made its presence known on the boards outrebounding USC Upstate, 45-27. The four double-figure scorers alone had more rebounds than USC Upstate's whole team.
 
Things were pretty tight after a close first half that saw USC Upstate hold a one-point lead, 29-28. There were eight lead changes and four ties through the first 20 minutes of play. Each team was shooting about 38 percent but USC Upstate's five made 3-pointers was the difference.
 
Radford jumped out to a 7-0 run in the first two and a half minutes of the second half and took a six-point lead. The lead eventually grew to 10 points with 12:42 to play.
 
Immediately after, a five-point possession sparked a 17-7 run in favor of the Spartans that tied the game at 54 with 8:24 remaining. The Highlanders scored six points to take their final lead of the game, despite some late second half drama.
 
Stat of the Game
The combination of Jules, Mangum, Djonkam and Walker shot 59.0 percent from the floor (23-of-39). The quartet also tallied 28 of the Highlanders' 45 rebounds.  
 
Inside the Box Score
Radford tallied 15 offensive rebounds, compared to Upstate's four. The Highlanders also had 14 second chance points. Radford shot 50.0 percent from the floor in the second half and held the Spartans to just 27.3 percent from long range. Fah'Mir Ali led the Highlanders with 15 assists. Upstate's Dalvin White and Bruner totaled 14 points each and connected on five of the team's eight 3-pointers.
 
Tweet of the Game  
Quotable
"We're very fortunate to come out on top," Mike Jones said. "The game kind of hung in the balance of the referees call. We weren't as locked in as we needed to be for the first few minutes of the game. It gave them confidence and at times we got it back. Overall, we'll take giving up 61 points but overall, we need to better on both sides of the ball."
 
Up Next
The Highlanders will look to sweep the Spartans as the two meet again on Friday night at 6 p.m., inside the Dedmon Center.
 
Follow Radford Men's Basketball
To follow the Radford men's basketball team, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordMBB on Twitter, 'radfordmbb' Instagram or Radford Men's Basketball on Facebook.
 
 
 
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