BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Inexperience showed down the stretch as Campbell used a late run to down the Radford men's basketball team, 70-58, inside Gore Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Highlanders (5-11, 1-3 Big South) were flying high and playing with confidence in the second half, building their lead to 57-52 with less than four minutes to play. The Camels (9-6, 2-3 Big South) had been struggling to keep up with the visitors, but the momentum shifted in the blink of an eye.
Held without a second half three-pointer up to that point, Campbell caught fire, sinking back-to-back shots from deep to regain the lead. It continued from there, as the Camels continued their barrage with a 20-4 run to end the game.
Josiah Jeffers led Radford with 15 points, giving him double-digit scoring efforts in three of the last four games. He added four rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Rashun Williams contributed 12 points as well, while he and
Bryan Hart tied for the team lead with five rebounds.
As a team, Radford shot 41.8% (23-55) from the field and only 27.8% (5-18) from beyond the arc – the worst three-point percentage they've posted since the notorious Navy game back in November. By contrast, the Camels posted a 54.9% mark from the field, including 61.5% in the final 20 minutes.
The Highlanders landed the first punch of the day, going up 6-2 before the first media timeout. The Camels regrouped and fired a salvo that turned into a 12-0 run over the next four minutes.
Radford's defense kept them from falling too far behind early and a renewed urgency to work the ball into the post on offense helped get them back into the game. Campbell failed to score for the final three minutes and 20 seconds of the first half and
Artese Stapleton knocked down a shot clock-beating three to pull the Highlanders within one at the break.
Jordan Whitfield was one of the Camels who caught fire late in the game and he ended with 17 points. Ricky Clemons added 14 points and seven rebounds while five other players scored five or more points.
KEY STATS
- Lewis Djonkam entered the game shooting 65.1% on the season, and improved upon that with a 4-for-5 shooting performance
- Radford earned a 29-26 advantage in rebounds
- Bryan Hart's five rebounds were a season high
- The Highlanders scored 16 points off of turnovers despite the Camels giving the ball away just eight times
HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
AROUND THE BIG SOUTH
USC Upstate 76, UNC Asheville 73
Longwood 66, Gardner-Webb 60
Winthrop 70, Charleston Southern 65
High Point 78, North Carolina A&T 71
NEXT UP
Radford returns home to Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center on Wednesday for a 6:30 p.m. contest against Hampton. The game, which is presented by Copper Beech Townhomes, will be streamed live on ESPN+, but tickets are still available for purchase at radfordtickets.com.
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.
