RICHMOND, Ky. – Justin Archer and
Shaquan Jules deliver double-doubles as the Radford men's basketball team falls victim to another second half comeback in a 67-65 loss to Eastern Kentucky at Alumni Coliseum on Saturday.
Leading for nearly 34 minutes straight to begin the game, the Highlanders (6-6, 0-0 Big South) were once again haunted by numerous fouls and turnovers as the Colonels (6-6, 0-0 Atlantic Sun) deployed all full court press all day long.
With the scoreboard reading 55-53 in favor of the visitors with 6:35 to play, Eastern Kentucky went on a 7-0 run to take its first lead of the game. The Colonels went ahead by as many as eight with just over two minutes remaining, but Radford refused to go quietly.
A strong response put the Highlanders in a situation where, down 67-65 and 6.3 seconds available, they would have a shot to either win or tie. Struggling to inbound the ball, a three from the corner was blocked and the game was sealed.
Archer earned the first double-double of his career, contributing 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting and a career-high 12 rebounds. Jules put up the fourth double-double of his Radford tenure and third of the year, posting 11 points and 11 boards.
Bryan Antoine was arguably the most valuable player on the floor, getting it done on both ends. The junior guard led the Highlanders with 15 points and added three blocks, two steals, and a pair of rebounds.
Although Radford shot a higher percentage and out-rebounded the Colonels, fouls and turnovers negated much of the good done. The Highlanders were whistled 20 times, including five on
Onyebuchi Ezeakudo who was playing well before fouling out with seven minutes still to go.
The team's 17 turnovers match a season high, but that number has reared its ugly head in back-to-back games.
EKU was paced by Leland Walker (13 points), Michael Moreno (10 points), and Isaiah Cozart who also had a double-double with 11 points and 12 boards.
KEY STATS
- Radford pulled down a season-high 47 rebounds, including 21 on the offensive end
- Kenyon Giles had another strong performance, scoring 11 points plus four rebounds, three assists, and three steals
- Ezeakudo and Josiah Jeffers spread the love around for four assists each
- Two of the deepest teams in the nation, Radford and Eastern Kentucky combined for 54 bench points
HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Manhattan, Kansas for their 13
th and final non-conference game of the season on Wednesday, Dec. 21 to take on Kansas State. The game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT/2:30 p.m. ET 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.
