Energy From Electric Radford Crowd Fuels 63-59 Win Over Longwood

Thursday, January 26

Radford, Va.

7:00 PM

Radford University

13-9,7-2Big South

Longwood

15-7,7-2Big South

Team	1	2	F
Longwood	31	28	59
Radford	29	34	63

Photo by: Rob Simmons

Energy From Electric Radford Crowd Fuels 63-59 Win Over Longwood

1/26/2023 9:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's basketball team gave everything it had for 40 minutes, earning a 63-59 victory over Longwood in one of the most exciting nights the Dedmon Center has seen in years.

Playing in front of 2,357 fans, the largest crowd the Highlanders have seen this season, Radford rode the highs and absorbed the lows of a heavyweight match-up between two of the best teams in the Big South.

Radford's win streak extends to six straight as Darris Nichols' squad improves to 13-9 overall and 7-2 in conference play. Longwood drops to 15-7 and 7-2 against Big South foes, creating a tie for second place midway through the conference slate.

Trailing 57-56 with just over three minutes to go, Josiah Jeffers connected with Justin Archer to give the hosts a one-point lead. DaQuan Smith hit two clutch free throws and then Archer answered a Longwood layup with one of his own to make it 62-59.

The missed front end of a one-and-one gave the Lancers a chance to tie it up, but back-to-back defensive stops from Shaquan Jules, including a monster block off the backboard on Longwood's final possession, sealed the victory.

A 10-point lead right off the bat for the Highlanders quickly evaporated as the experienced Longwood side put together run after run to take the lead. The Lancers led for more than 15 minutes of the game, including most of the second half, but Radford got it done when it mattered most.

Jeffers was forced back into the starting lineup with Onyebuchi Ezeakudo missing the game due to illness along with Souleymane Koureissi. The fifth-year guard came up huge, leading all players with 13 points and four assists.

Archer earned his fourth double-double of the season, putting up 11 points and 11 rebounds despite the extremely strong rebounding team that Longwood can put on the floor. Smith had a slow start but hit multiple clutch shots down the stretch, finishing with 11 points.

And Bryan Antoine, whose breakaway dunk completely changed the momentum down the stretch, added 12 points, three assists and three steals.

KEY STATS

Longwood shot just 43.1% from the field and 30.8% from three against Radford's stout defense
The Lancers earned a 37-to-31 advantage on the boards to give Radford a taste of its own medicine
Radford turned the ball over just seven times while LWU gave it away twice as many times for 14 turnovers on the night
Longwood shot just two free throws all night and Radford shot 10 despite taking its first attempt more than 30 minutes into the action

HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME

2H | 3:38
Radford 56, Longwood 55

BRYAN ANTOINE TO THE HOUSE!!! Radford takes the lead and Dedmon ERUPTS!!!#RiseAndDefend?? x #BigSouthMBB pic.twitter.com/tDMRfYWYSm
— Radford Men's Basketball (@RadfordHoops) January 27, 2023

UP NEXT
Radford hits the road to USC Upstate for a 2 p.m. game this Saturday, Jan. 28. The quick turnaround match-up will be streamed 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.