Men's Basketball Comes Up Clutch in 63-59 Win At Gardner-Webb

Saturday, January 7

Boiling Springs, NC

2:00 PM

Radford University

8-9,2-2Big South

Gardner-Webb

7-9,2-2Big South

Team	1	2	F
Radford	33	30	63
Gardner-Webb	28	31	59

Photo by: Rob Simmons

Men's Basketball Comes Up Clutch in 63-59 Win At Gardner-Webb

1/7/2023 4:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Down after an unexpected loss at home earlier in the week, the Radford men's basketball bounced back in a big way thanks to a 63-59 victory over Gardner-Webb at Paul Porter Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Two of the Big South Conference's best defensive teams showed their credentials for 40 straight minutes, but the Highlanders (8-9, 2-2 Big South) made winning plays when it mattered most.

There were 12 lead changes and eight ties in the first half as both teams vied for the front position in what always promises to be an exciting matchup. Radford threw the first punch as Bryan Antoine knocked down a jumper on the very first possession and then Justin Archer followed with a second-chance layup moments later.

Gardner-Webb (7-9, 2-2 Big South) responded with back-to-back baskets and the game went back-and-forth over the next 10 minutes until Antoine drained a three to turn an 18-17 deficit into a 20-18 lead with 7:49 to go in the first half.

While things stayed close from there on out, the Highlanders never trailed again, taking a 33-28 lead into halftime and then building a lead as large as 45-35 by the 13:44 mark.

The Runnin' Bulldogs hit back in every which way, but Radford absorbed each blow and delivered one of its own. Nevertheless, GWU had a chance to tie the game with six seconds to play but a good look on a driving layup missed its mark and Archer made both free throws after the subsequent foul to seal the win.

DaQuan Smith led the Highlanders with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting and added a season high-tying seven rebounds. Archer finished with 12 points and eight rebounds while Josiah Jeffers had his best performance in some time, contributing 12 points.

DQ Nicholas paced all players with 17 points, five assists and four rebounds for the Runnin' Bulldogs while both Julien Soumaoro (14 points) and Kareem Reid (10 points, five rebounds) had solid games on either side of him.

KEY STATS

Radford shot 47.1% (24-51) from the floor and an excellent 83.3% (10-12) at the free throw line
The Highlanders won the rebounding battle, 29-23
Radford's bench played a huge role in the win, out-scoring Gardner-Webb's bench by a total of 25-10
Freshman guard Kenyon Giles scored nine points total, but he poured in seven straight to close out the first half

HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME

2H | 5:25
Radford 54, GWU 50

Josiah Jeffers with a HUGE shot to shut down an 8-0 run by the Bulldogs#RiseAndDefend?? x #BigSouthMBB pic.twitter.com/VtUYsbjgEK
— Radford Men's Basketball (@RadfordHoops) January 7, 2023

AROUND THE BIG SOUTH
UNC Asheville 58, Campbell 55
Charleston Southern 67, Presbyterian 63
USC Upstate 76, High Point 57
Winthrop at Longwood

UP NEXT
Radford makes its way to Winthrop for a 7 p.m. contest in Rock Hill, S.C. this upcoming Wednesday night. The game 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.