RADFORD, Va. – DaQuan Smith's buzzer-beating three-pointer handed the Radford men's basketball team a crucial 64-61victory against USC Upstate at the Dedmon Center on Saturday afternoon.
UPDATED RECORDS
Radford: 12-8 (2-3 Big South)
USC Upstate: 6-12 (1-4 Big South)
PLAY-BY-PLAY
It was a chaotic first half, filled with fouls and turnovers, as both teams came out looking to be physical and play with intensity on the defensive end.
The visiting Spartans got the scoring started with a layup on their first possession, but the Highlanders took over for the next five minutes, racing out to a 14-2 lead. USC Upstate bounced back following a timeout, going on a 7-1 run of their own to get back into the race.
With a combined 16 fouls and 16 turnovers in the first half alone, it was tough for either side to get going on offense. With a last second jumper hitting nothing but net for USCU, Radford took a 27-24 lead into the break.
It was back-and-forth throughout the second half as the Highlanders would build a lead and the Spartans would chip away at it.
After leading by as many as 12 points in the first half, Radford regained a double-digit advantage, 42-32, at the 15:00 mark. The battled continued as USC Upstate made it 54-50 with just over five minutes left to go.
With the scoreboard reading 59-58 in favor of the Highlanders and just 25 seconds left in regulation,
Kenyon Giles drilled a step-back jumper that was ruled a two. The Spartans then surged to the other end of the floor, getting an old-fashion three-point play to tie the game at 61, setting up for an exciting finish.
PIVOTAL MOMENT/PLAY OF THE GAME
KEY STATS
- Bryan Antoine led the Highlanders with 18 points on 5-of-12 shooting, including a 3-of-6 clip from deep
- Giles added 15 points and Smith had 10 points
- Radford narrowly won the rebounding battle, 36-35
- The game featured a combined 34 foul calls and 40 free throws attempted
OF NOTE
- Smith's game-winning shot was the Highlanders' third of the season and his second
- Bryan Antoine has eclipsed 50 career starts, with Chandler Turner, Kenyon Giles and him starting all 20 games so far this season
- Giles posted his fourth 5+ assist game of the season and first since Dec. 9, 2023 against N.C. Central
AROUND THE BIG SOUTH
Gardner-Webb 79, Winthrop 74
Presbyterian at Longwood – 3pm
Charleston Southern at High Point – 7pm
UP NEXT
The Highlanders hit the road to UNC Asheville where they'll take on Drew Pember and the Bulldogs. The game is set for 6:30 p.m. 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' on Instagram or Radford Men's Basketball on Facebook.
