Archer, Niang Dominate The Paint In Radford's Fourth Straight Win

Wednesday, January 18

Buies Creek, NC

7:00 PM

Radford University

11-9,5-2Big South

Campbell

7-12,2-5Big South

Team	1	2	F
Radford	35	28	63
Campbell	26	29	55

Photo by: Bennett Scarborough

Archer, Niang Dominate The Paint In Radford's Fourth Straight Win

1/18/2023 9:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – A dominant effort in the paint, led by Justin Archer and Madiaw Niang, was the catalyst for a 63-55 win over Campbell inside Gore Arena on Wednesday night.

The win marks the fourth straight for the Highlanders (11-9, 5-2 Big South) and 11^th of the season, matching their win total from all of last season. The Fighting Camels (7-12, 2-5 Big South) have now lost back-to-back games and are just 4-5 on their home floor.

In the words of "Voice of the Highlanders" Rick Watson, Justin Archer was clearly player of the game. The JUCO transfer was an absolute gem of a find for Head Coach Darris Nichols and company, and his strong season continued with a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double on 6-of-8 shooting this time out.

Niang nearly joined him in double-double territory, scoring 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting while grabbing nine rebounds. The duo paced a Radford performance on the glass that resulted in a 37-to-25 advantage in the category.

The offensive rebound stats alone were impressive, as the Highlanders pulled down 12 offensive boards for 21 second-chance points while the Camels just got two second-chance points on two offensive rebounds.

Radford went just 5-for-15 (33.3%) from deep, but three of the makes came from Onyebuchi Ezeakudo who dropped 11 points and led the team with four assists. With a number of clutch free throws down the stretch, DaQuan Smith added 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks as well.

A strong first half for the visitors ended with a 35-26 lead, but Campbell made some noticeable adjustments that paid immediate dividends. The Camels began the second half on a 11-0 run to go ahead 37-35, but five straight points from Archer put an end to that.

Radford put together an 10-2 run that restored its lead to nine with 1:14 to play and did well to beat Campbell's press to run the clock out.

KEY STATS

Souleymane Koureissi led all players with a +14 in his 19 minutes on the floor, contributing six points, three rebounds and a block
Radford had just seven turnovers and was only whistled for 10 fouls
Devon Dunn was on fire from deep for the Fighting Camels, going 6-for-11 on three pointers
Anthony Dell'Orso matched Dunn with a game-high 18 points and six rebounds

HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME

2H | 7:55
Radford 49, Campbell 43

THREEEE BALLLL, Onyebuchi Ezeakudo! He's got three triples tonight and 11 points overall#RiseAndDefend?? x #BigSouthMBB pic.twitter.com/1PTeYMMFSz
— Radford Men's Basketball (@RadfordHoops) January 19, 2023

AROUND THE BIG SOUTH
Longwood 64, Gardner-Webb 59
UNC Asheville 73, Charleston Southern 63
High Point 71, Winthrop 66
USC Upstate 61, Presbyterian 60

UP NEXT
The Radford men return home for a pair of huge games inside the Dedmon Center. First, the Highlanders take on High Point at 2pm on Saturday, Jan. 21, with a rally towel giveaway presented by Eleven West. Then they welcome Longwood for a nationally televised game on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7pm.

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.