RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's basketball team pulled away in the second half, leading by as many as 19 points, in a 73-56 victory over VMI on Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center.
The win gives the Highlanders a 23-22 edge in the all-time series against the Keydets and improves their season ledger to 8-4 overall. VMI, meanwhile, drops to 2-9 on the year.
A defensive first half resulted in a 39-30 lead for the hosts, as Radford relied on graduate forward
Chandler Turner to carry the load on offense with 12 points on a perfect 4-for-4 start.
Turner finished with 17 points and five rebounds, reaching double-figure scoring for the fifth straight game and seventh time this season.
Redshirt senior guard
DaQuan Smith didn't have his best shooting night, going 6-of-16 from the floor, but he knocked down a season-high five free throws and led the Highlanders with 19 points. 13 points from
Kenyon Giles and 10 points from
Truth Harris rounded out the scoring.
Offense came much more freely for Radford in the second half, beginning with a 14-4 run to build a 53-34 advantage.
The lead grew to as many as 19 points multiple times as the Highlanders coasted to a victory.
The Keydets were paced by Tyran Cook, who poured in 20 points thanks to a 4-for-8 performance beyond the arc. DJ Nussbaum added 14 points and Koree Cotton contributed 11 points of his own.
Radford shot 45.6% from the floor and 45.0% from three while holding VMI to just 36.8% overall and 26.3% on three-point attempts.
NOTES & STATS
- The Highlanders are now 5-0 at home for the second consecutive season
- Radford is also 3-0 to begin the month of December after winning just three games in December the last two years, combined
- VMI earned a 43-to-27 advantage in rebounds, including a 17-to-7 difference on the offensive boards
- Radford turned the ball over just four times while forcing 15 turnovers by the Keydets
PLAY OF THE GAME
UP NEXT
With their home non-conference schedule now complete, the Highlanders hit the road to Bucknell for a Saturday afternoon bout with the Bison. First tip is slated for 3:30 p.m. and 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' on Instagram or Radford Men's Basketball on Facebook.
