Men's Basketball 11/26/2022 10:00:00 AM

Men's Basketball Closes Out November At Elon

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's basketball team will look to bounce back when it faces off with the Elon Phoenix in the Schar Center on Sunday afternoon.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Elon Phoenix (1-5, 0-0 CAA)
Date/Time: Sunday, Nov. 27 at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Schar Center (Burlington, N.C.)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Watch: CLICK HERE (FloHoops)
Listen: CLICK HERE (WRAD 101.7 FM)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE

SERIES HISTORY
In a series dating back to November of 1997, the Highlanders own an 8-5 lead all-time against Elon. Radford won the first three meetings ever, and six of the first seven, but the Phoenix have made it closer with wins in three of the last four games between these two programs.

Radford is 6-2 at home against the Phoenix, but only 2-3 when playing in enemy territory, a factor that will come into play this time around as well.

The most recent meeting – Nov. 22, 2017 – saw Elon escape with a 77-74 win on its home court. Dainan Swoope and Brian Dawkins led all scorers with 24 and 21 points respectively, while Donald Hicks and Justin Cousin had 15 points each for Radford. A Cousin three tied the game at 74-all with 1:44 to go, but the Phoenix took the lead with 35 seconds left and sealed the win.

SCOUTING THE PHOENIX
With the first year of the Billy Taylor underway in Burlington, the Elon Phoenix are off to a bit of a slow start, going 1-5 in their first six games of the season. The Colonial Athletic Association squad easily dispatched Erskine, 80-55, in the season opener but have since dropped five straight games, albeit against five quality opponents.

The Phoenix went 10-22 overall last season, including a 7-11 conference record. After three years as head coach, Mike Schrage resigned following the season to become a Special Assistant to the Head Coach at Duke. The 2022-23 CAA Preseason Poll then tabbed Elon to finish 12^th out of 13 teams this year.

Graduate student Torrence Watson has paced the team thus far, averaging 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, including a 20-point performance against NC State. Fellow grad Sean Halloran is putting up 12.0 points per game while leading the team with 25 assists. Senior Zac Ervin gives the Phoenix a third double-digit scorer with 10.7 points per contest.

FREE THROWS AIN'T FREE
Getting to the free throw often is no guarantee and making those free throws is easier said than done. Both teams in Sunday's game rank amongst the nation's best in getting to the charity stripe, but in the middle of the pack for free throw percentage.

Elon – 20.7 free throw attempts per game (94^th in the nation)
70.2% on free throws (171^st in the nation)

Radford – 20.3 free throw attempts per game (103^rd in the nation)
69.7% on free throws (183^rd in the nation)

ARCHER'S AIM
Sophomore forward Justin Archer transferred into Radford from one of the top NJCAA programs in the nation – Florida Southwestern State. His role on the Highlanders has slowly begun to take shape and the stats show it. Archer played a combined 20 minutes in the first two games of the season, but has played 17 minutes, 20 minutes, and 19 minutes in each of the last three contests. His 75.0% shooting from the floor and 3.4 rebounds per game are a big reason why.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES
The Highlanders have a pair of huge home games coming up to begin the month of December. N.C. Central comes to town at 7:00 p.m. on Dec. 1 and then George Washington visits the Dedmon Center for a 2:00 p.m. game on Dec. 4. Tickets are still available on radfordtickets.com for both contests.

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.

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Players Mentioned

#0 Justin Archer: F; 6' 7"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#0 Justin Archer
: 6' 7"; Sophomore
: F

Players Mentioned

#0 Justin Archer

Players Mentioned

#0 Justin Archer