RADFORD, Va. – Bryan Antoine poured in a career-high 30 points to lead the Radford men's basketball team to an 82-72 victory over Elon on Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center on Sunday afternoon.
The senior guard had a career day in front of more than 1,500 fans, going 7-of-12 from the field, including a 3-of-5 performance from deep, and a perfect 13-for-13 at the free throw line.
Antoine becomes the first Highlander to score 30+ points in a game since Carlik Jones dropped 33 against Hampton on March 6, 2020. He also becomes the first Radford player to go at least 10-for-10 at the charity stripe since Carlik Jones hit all 10 of his attempts against High Point on January 4, 2019.
Coach Nichols and company also received a big boost from junior forward
Justin Archer, who recorded his sixth career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Highlanders had five players score in double-figures for the second time this season as well, with contributions from
Chandler Turner (12 points),
Truth Harris (10 points) and
Kenyon Giles (10 points).
It was a back-and-forth affair in the first half, which ended in a 39-all tie after 20 minutes of action. The Highlanders jumped out in front to get things started, leading by as many seven (23-16) with 10:45 on the block. But the Phoenix answered with an 8-0 run to take a 24-23 lead.
Radford didn't let the comeback phase them though, clawing and scratching for a 36-32 lead with just 2:46 to play in the period. Elon pieced together another one of its runs, scoring seven straight points to take a 39-36 lead right before the half.
With the ball in his hands on the final possession of the half,
Truth Harris eluded a defender and knocked down a step-back three-pointer as time expired to reset the game at 39-all.
The second half didn't prove to be any easier, but the Highlanders started to find their groove with an 8-0 run of their own that turned a 44-all tie into a 52-44 lead with 14:13 on the clock.
And when the Phoenix pulled within four at the 8:19 mark, the Highlanders produced another spurt that made it a 67-57 game with just 6:29 left to go.
Radford protected its lead with eight free throws in the final 40 seconds, fending off a comeback effort from Elon to close out the contest.
NOTES & STATS
- Justin Archer is now 7-3 in winning the opening tip through 10 games this season
- Elon came into the game shooting 39.1% from three-point range and was held to just 23.8% (5-for-21) against Radford
- Both teams earned consistent trip to the free throw line, going a combined 42-for-61
- Radford shot 50.9% (27-53) from the field, its fifth time reaching that mark in a game this year
- The Highlanders turned the ball over just nine times, their second time under 10 turnovers in a game this year
PLAY OF THE GAME
UP NEXT
Radford's three-game homestand continues when N.C. Central returns to the Dedmon Center on Saturday, Dec. 9 for a 4:30 p.m. contest. 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.
