RADFORD, Va. – On a night when the Radford men's basketball team went cold at the free throw line, senior forward
Shaquan Jules came up clutch with two free throws that clinched a 80-78 victory over N.C. Central on Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center on Thursday night.
The Highlanders (5-3, 0-0 Big South) relinquished a 17-point lead in the second half as the Eagles (4-4, 0-0 MEAC) stormed all the way back to take a 78-73 lead with just 1:38 left in regulation.
Bryan Antoine hit Radford's first three-pointer of the second half 11 seconds later to cut the deficit to 78-76 and then
Josiah Jeffers went 1-of-2 from the line with 51 seconds to go. It was on the second free throw that N.C. Central's Brendan Medley-Bacon threw an elbow that hit Jules square in the face, resulting in a Flagrant 2 foul.
In the biggest single moment of the season thus far, the Orlando, Fla. native came up huge, hitting both free throws to put Radford back in front. NCC ended up having two chances to hit a buzzer-beater, but one ended in a missed shot and then the final horn sounded before an attempt was made.
Jeffers led the squad with a season-high 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting, as well as a team-high four assists, two rebounds, and a steal.
Jules (14 points), Antoine (11 points),
DaQuan Smith (10 points) and
Justin Archer (10 points) all scored in double-figures, giving Radford 5 or more double digit scorers in a game since the Javonte Green jersey retirement game against Eastern Kentucky last season.
The Highlanders shot 58.3% (28-48) from the field, but just 60% (18-30) at the charity stripe, which made things way too close for comfort. N.C. Central shot 48.5% (32-66) overall and 41.7% (10-24) from beyond the arc, but earned just five free throw attempts all game.
Fifth-year senior guard Kris Monroe was all over the court for the Eagles, leading all players with 23 points and 11 rebounds on 6-of-8 shooting from three.
KEY STATS
- Justin Archer earned his first start of the season, marking the first time Head Coach Darris Nichols has deployed two forwards in his starting five this season
- N.C. Central went without a single free throw attempt until the 14:42 mark of the second half
- The Eagles pulled down 13 offensive rebounds, leading to a 19-to-2 advantage in second-chance points
- Radford tallied six blocks on the night, its second-most of the season and most against a DI opponent
HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
UP NEXT
Radford plays host to George Washington for the first time in program history on Sunday, Dec. 4 beginning at 2pm. The game will be the first leg of a doubleheader, with Radford women's basketball playing Liberty immediately after. Tickets are available now on 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.
