NORFOLK, Va. – A
Kenyon Giles three as time expired missed its mark as the Radford men's basketball team dropped a 69-68 decision to Old Dominion inside Chartway Arena on Wednesday night.
After
DaQuan Smith hit a massive three-pointer to make it a one-point game, the Highlanders (5-4) got a crucial stop on the other end and called timeout with 13.2 second to play.
Head Coach
Darris Nichols drew up the play and in a repeat of the JMU game, a turnover denied Radford a chance to even get a shot off. A missed one-and-one attempt by ODU (3-3) gave Radford new life, however.
Chandler Turner pulled down the rebound and threw it ahead to
DaQuan Smith. Smith then passed it to Giles who sidestepped a defender and let it loose, but the storybook ending simply wasn't meant to be.
Smith fueled Radford all night, leading all scorers with 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including a 5-of-8 night from beyond the arc.
TJ NeSmith added 13 points and Turner had 10 points and seven rebounds.
Giles, a Chesapeake, Va. native returning to his hometown, never truly found his stroke and finished 3-for-13. Credit to the sophomore guard though, as he found other ways to help his teammates out, tallying career highs in assists (7) and rebounds (6).
Like so many games this season, the first half featured huge momentum swings for each team. The Highlanders were quick out of the gates, scoring the first five points of the night and taking a 10-2 lead at the 15:45 mark.
Old Dominion's first field goal didn't even come until the game clock read 15:25 and Radford's lead grew to 17-6 less than two minutes later. The Monarchs would find their groove shortly after, going on a dominating 13-2 run to tie it at 19-all.
Fouls and missed opportunities piled up as the Highlanders' lead evaporated, leaving the visitors scoreless for more than five minutes of action. Turner, who hit Radford's last shot at 11:09, came to the rescue with a clutch three and ended that rough patch.
Even with the cold shooting stretch, Pierce and the stout Radford defense held the Monarchs to just 31 points on 26.7% (8-for-30) shooting in the opening frame.
The start of the second half mirrored the first as Radford came out firing for a 9-2 run that forced an ODU timeout. The Monarchs' discussion paid dividends, answering the opposition with a run of their own.
Old Dominion took its first lead of the game, 53-50, with nine minutes to go, but the Highlanders kept their heads up and regained the lead, earning a 62-58 advantage with less than five minutes to go.
No matter how you look at it, turnovers were what killed the Highlanders down the stretch. Four in the final four minutes allowed the Monarchs to go on an 11-3 run and win the game.
NOTES & STATS
- DaQuan Smith rejoined the starting lineup after missing the Notre Dame (MD) contest. Truth Harris returned to his role off the bench
- D'Auntray Pierce swatted a career-high five shots, becoming the first Highlander to have 4+ blocks in a game since Mawdo Sallah in 2018
- Radford held ODU to a 38.3 (23-60) shooting percentage, including just 28.6% (6-21) from deep
- The Highlanders committed 15 turnovers while ODU had just seven
PLAY OF THE GAME
UP NEXT
Radford's return to the New River Valley begins a three-game homestand inside the Dedmon Center, beginning this Sunday, Dec. 3 against the Elon Phoenix. The Highlanders will debut their brand new "City Edition" uniforms as part of New River City Day when the game tips off at 2 p.m. Tickets are still available on RadfordTickets.com and fans can watch the game from wherever they are 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.
