CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Radford men's basketball team gave No. 19 North Carolina all it could handle, but the hosts pulled away late to hand the Highlanders an 86-70 loss inside the Dean E. Smith Center on Monday night.
 
Despite an obvious deficit in size and pedigree, Head Coach Darris Nichols had his team ready to play in the 2023-24 season opener. In fact, the Highlanders had the nation shouting "UPSET ALERT" deep into the second half.
 
Sophomore guard Kenyon Giles set the tone early, responding to a quick UNC basket with a three on the other end. A step-back three from senior DaQuan Smith on the very next possession gave Radford its first lead, sending the message that this isn't a team that anyone can walk all over.
 
Tough shot after tough shot kept the Highlanders in the thick of things, and a lefty hook from Justin Archer gave them a 41-38 lead with 2:02 left in the first half. The Tar Heels mounted a 8-0 run over those final two minutes to take a 46-41 lead into the locker room, however.
 
The second half started much like the first as Radford and UNC traded baskets until the Highlanders made it a one-point game, 56-55, with 14:56 to play. The Tar Heels went on a 7-0 run to begin their separation, inspiring the sold out crowd into a frenzy.
 
Another improbable step-back three from Smith as the shot clock expired silenced the crowd for a bit, but it was the beginning of a cold spell for Radford that lasted more than six minutes. North Carolina held Radford without a field goal in that time, finally relenting on a Bryan Antoine three from the corner.
 
With the game getting out of reach, the Highlanders' fought to the very end but UNC's depth was too much to overcome, bringing the first contest of the year to a close.
 
Smith and Giles led Radford with 18 points apiece, while Antoine added 13 points of his own to go with a team-high three steals. Justin Archer was strong in the post, putting up six points and a team-high nine boards.
 
Premier big man Armando Bacot paced the Tar Heels with a 25-point, 13-rebound double-double as UNC shot a scorching hot 52.5% from the field. 
 
NOTES & STATS

• Chandler Turner was the only newcomer to enter Coach Nichols' starting lineup to begin the season. The graduate transfer from Bowling Green joined Giles, Smith, Antoine and Archer in Radford's first five
• Trenton Walters and Kyle Burns each made their collegiate debuts off the bench
• Radford tallied eight steals compared to just four for UNC
• The Highlanders were whistled for 21 fouls; North Carolina was called for 11 fouls

 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders turn their attention to a special edition of college hoops when they take on the Marshall Thundering Herd at The Greenbrier. The matchup is slated for Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. inside the resort's Colonial Hall ballroom and 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.