Men's Basketball 12/3/2022 10:00:00 AM

Men's Basketball Hosts George Washington For Sunday Showdown

RADFORD, Va. – Radford looks to extend its winning streak when a much-improved George Washington squad makes its first-ever visit to the Dedmon Center on Sunday afternoon.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: George Washington Colonials (5-2, 0-0 Atlantic 10)
Date/Time: Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center (Radford, Va.)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Watch: CLICK HERE (ESPN+)
Listen: CLICK HERE (WRAD 101.7 FM)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Buy Tickets: CLICK HERE

SERIES HISTORY
The Highlanders have played GW in men's basketball twice – once in 2013 and once last season – but the Colonials have come out on top both times. Sunday's game will the very first time the two teams play inside the Dedmon Center, however.

George Washington earned a 76-54 victory on Nov. 8, 2013 despite 15 points from Ya Ya Anderson and nine points/five rebounds from Kion Brown. The Colonials then defeated Radford, 67-58 in D.C. on Dec. 13, 2021 thanks to a game-high 21 points from now-senior guard James Bishop IV.

SCOUTING THE COLONIALS
George Washington made a change in leadership of its men's basketball program after going 12-18 overall and 8-9 in Atlantic 10 play, replacing Jamion Christian with Chris Caputo. The decision appears to be paying dividends already as the Colonials are off to a 5-2 start with wins over Howard, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.

Senior guard James Bishop IV was named to the Preseason A-10 All-Conference Second Team and has lived up to the hype thanks to 21.7 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game. Fifth-year guard Brendan Adams has taken a major jump and is the Robin to Bishop's Batman, averaging 17.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest.

As a team, the Colonials are shooting an incredible 50.0% (191-382) from the field so far this season and are dominating the glass to the tune of a +5.6 rebounding margin. GW's achilles heel just might be its propensity to turn the ball over, resulting in a -3.1 turnover margin.

OFF THE JUMP
The game of basketball features plenty of thrilling comebacks, but there's no doubt it's easier to win when your team gets off to a good start. Radford's trends back that claim up too.

The Highlanders are 4-0 when leading at halftime this season and just 1-3 when trailing. Likewise, Radford is 11-2 during the entire Darris Nichols era when in front at halftime and 5-17 when his team has to play catch-up.

BALANCED ATTACK
Radford is averaging 76.4 points per game as a team through eight games this season, and contributions are coming from up and down the roster. Five different players are averaging 9.0 or more points per game, with DaQuan Smith (11.9 points), Josiah Jeffers (11.6 points) and Kenyon Giles (11.4 points) leading the pack.

Five different Highlanders have scored the first basket of the game, six different players have led the team in scoring, and seven different members of the squad have posted 10 or more points in a game.

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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