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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
63
Winner Radford Rad 8-9,2-2 Big South
59
Gardner-Webb GW 7-9,2-2 Big South
Winner
Radford Rad
8-9,2-2 Big South
63
Final
59
Gardner-Webb GW
7-9,2-2 Big South
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Radford Rad 33 30 63
Gardner-Webb GW 28 31 59
MBB Bench Cheering
Rob Simmons

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

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

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  
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.
 
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