RADFORD, Va. – For the third time this season, the Radford men's basketball team will play in the ESPNU Big South Wildcard game, with this one coming against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs (13-14, 8-4 Big South)
Date/Time: Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Boiling Springs, N.C. (Paul Porter Arena)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Television: ESPNU
Streaming: CLICK HERE (ESPN+)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Radio: CLICK HERE (WRAD 101.7/103.5 FM)

SERIES HISTORY
With all the success Radford has had against Big South foes over the last 40 years, Gardner-Webb has proven to be one of the Highlanders' biggest challenges. Through 29 meetings, the Runnin' Bulldogs lead the all-time series, 18-12.
 
The Highlanders have dropped six of their last seven games against GWU, with the lone exception being a 63-59 victory in Boiling Springs last season.
 
In the first matchup this season, the Runnin' Bulldogs came to the Dedmon Center and left with a 74-68 win. Bryan Antoine and Caleb Robinson scored 21 points each to lead all scorers. GWU took a 15-point lead into halftime and Radford's comeback effort came up just short.
 
SCOUTING THE RUNNIN' BULLDOGS
Gardner-Webb is a tough opponent every year, and this one is no exception. After starting Big South play 0-2, the Runnin' Bulldogs have found their way and gone 8-2 since then to gain sole possession of third place in the conference standings.
 
GWU brought back most of its core players, including juniors Caleb Robinson and Julien Soumaoro, who lead their team in scoring with 13.8 and 12.9 points per game, respectively. SEMO transfer DQ Nicholas also returned for another year in Boiling Springs, giving GWU a third double-digit scorer with 12.2 points and a team-high 2.7 assists per contest.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs push the pace on every possession, ranking 80th in the nation with 12.0 fastbreak points a game. They don't excel in shooting – posting a relatively 43.8% from the field and 33.4% from three – but they rebound at a high rate. In fact, they rank 70^th in the country with 38.3 rebounds per game.
 
SUCCESS AT PAUL PORTER ARENA
Winning on the road is hard and winning on the road during conference play is even harder, but the Highlanders have found success playing in Paul Porter Arena over the years. In 13 all-time meetings there, Radford owns a 7-6 record against Gardner-Webb when playing in enemy territory. Notably, Radford's only win against GWU in the last four years came on the road.
 
ASSIST/TURNOVER RATIO
Even in a tough loss, the Highlanders posted their very best assist/turnover ratio of the season at High Point on Saturday night. That ratio reached +4.3 with 13 dimes and a season-low three turnovers.
 
Over the last week, which also includes the game against Winthrop, Radford ranked 69^th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio and 14^th in the country in turnovers per game.

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.