LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Radford men's basketball team went into Sojka Pavilion for the very first time and emerged with a 70-63 victory over Bucknell on Saturday afternoon.
UPDATED RECORDS
Radford: 9-4 (0-0 Big South)
Bucknell: 3-8 (Patriot League)
PIVOTAL MOMENT
With the game tied at 55-all and just 4-minutes, 23-seconds left on the clock, the Highlanders put together one last clutch run, scoring the next seven points to take a 62-55 lead with 2:21 to play before sealing the victory down the stretch.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
It was a game of runs in the first half as the Highlanders and Bison went back-and-forth throughout the first half before heading into the break tied at 30-all.
Bucknell came out of the gates quickly to take a 6-2 lead before the visitors countered to go up, 8-6, prior to the first media timeout. The Bison grabbed the lead right back, but then the Highlanders mounted a 12-2 run to make it a 20-13 game at the 9:36 mark.
Then, with the scoreboard reading 25-21 in favor of Radford, Bucknell hit a trio of tough layups and one free throw to go on a 7-0 run of their own and gain a 28-25 advantage.
Chandler Turner and
Kenyon Giles, who posted eight points each in the first 20 minutes, hit a pair of shots down the stretch to keep it tied up.
Radford shot an uncharacteristic 36.4% (12-33) from the field and 31.3% (5-16) from deep in the period, but nine offensive rebounds and 13 second chance points were key to keeping the game so close.
The second half was much like the first as the two mid-major ball clubs showed a strong desire to earn a win in this one.
The Highlanders scored the first seven points of the period, and in line with the rest of the game, the Bison drilled a trio of three-pointers to regain the lead.
Fouls began to pile up for Radford, sending Bucknell to the charity stripe often from the 8:08 mark on. Bucknell shot a perfect 10-for-10 from the line in the second half, forcing the Highlanders to overcome and conquer.
NOTES & STATS
- Radford is now 7-0 when playing day games (tip time prior to 5 p.m.) this season
- Kenyon Giles finished with a game-high 20 points thanks to four three-pointers
- Bryan Antoine added 16 points (4-9 3FG) while Chandler Turner added 14 points and DaQuan Smith had 11 points, all in the second half
- Truth Harris has tallied season highs in assists in back-to-back games: Four against VMI and five at Bucknell
- The game featured seven lead changes and seven ties
PLAY OF THE GAME
UP NEXT
The alma mater of Head Coach
Darris Nichols and Assistant Coach
James Haring is on the schedule once again as the Highlanders head to Morgantown for a reunion with the West Virginia Mountaineers. The game is slated for 7 p.m. next Wednesday, Dec. 20 and it 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.
