CLEMSON, S.C. – The 18^th-ranked Clemson Tigers overpowered the shorthanded Radford men's basketball team in a 93-58 loss inside Littlejohn Coliseum on Friday night.
 
UPDATED RECORDS
Radford: 10-5 (0-0 Big South)
Clemson: 11-1 (1-0 ACC)
 
PIVOTAL MOMENT
Despite all the fight and effort shown by the Highlanders in this one, the game was determined early.
 
After Kenyon Giles knocked down a three-pointer to put Radford ahead, 3-2, at the 16:36 mark, the Tigers went on a 13-0 run that lasted just over three minutes. The Highlanders only cut the deficit to single digits for another three minutes of game time after that run, putting a victory well out of reach. 
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY
Kenyon Giles' three-pointer with 16:36 on the clock in the first half represented Radford's first field goal of the game, as well as the team's only lead of the night as the Tigers quickly overwhelmed the shorthanded visitors.
 
Clemson responded with a 13-0 run to go ahead 15-3 and then, after the Highlanders cut it to 21-14 at the 9:47 mark, went on back-to-back 9-0 spurts that made it 39-16 in the blink of an eye.
 
Giles scored each of the Highlanders' first 12 points of the game and they went on to score just 23 points in the first half combined, a season-low in first half scoring. On the other end, the Tigers went 12-for-12 at the free throw line in the first period alone, taking a 49-23 lead into the halftime break as a result.
 
With Radford already shorthanded and D'Auntray Pierce getting into foul trouble, the second half was much like the first. Clemson connected on each of its first four field goal attempts, forcing Head Coach Darris Nichols to call timeout down by 31.
 
Chandler Turner's hard drive to the basket earned Radford its first trip to the free throw line nearly four minutes into the second half, as the final tally on attempts wound up being 14-7 in favor of the home team.
 
The Highlanders did get some offense flowing late in the game. Down 82-39, Radford got three-pointers from Bryan Antoine, Truth Harris and Trenton Walters as part of a 12-4 run which forced a Clemson timeout with 3:34 to go.
 
Walk-ons David Vidor and Hunter Castleberry subbed in the waning moments as the Highlanders fell to the nationally-ranked Tigers.
 
NOTES & STATS

• Justin Archer did not play due to an ankle injury sustained at West Virginia. He is considered day-to-day
• D'Auntray Pierce made his first career start in his 32^nd appearance for the Highlanders. He recorded four blocks against the Tigers; his fifth-straight game with multiple blocks
• Kenyon Giles finished with a team-high 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting and four assists
• Chandler Turner added 11 points and a team-high four rebounds
• Facing a massive size disadvantage, Clemson won the rebounding battle, 45-13
• Clemson shot 56.7% from the floor, including a 70.4% clip in the second half

 
UP NEXT
The 10-win Radford Highlanders and High Point Panthers get Big South play started in style this upcoming Wednesday, Jan. 3 with a 7 p.m. tip inside the Dedmon Center. Tickets are available at RadfordTickets.com and the game will be streamed 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.