CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Radford men's basketball program suffered a 58-54 setback to Big South foe Charleston Southern in a conference clash inside Buccaneer Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Highlanders, all of which came against Big South foes. It was the first losing effort since the conference opener at High Point over two weeks ago.

Even with the loss, Radford still finds itself right in the thick of the fight for the Big South crown at 3-2 in league play. UNC Asheville currently tops the standings at 4-1, followed by three teams (including the Highlanders) tied in second place. The top seven teams of the conference are all within two games of one another in a battle that won't be decided until March.

Radford opened the contest strong and took a 28-25 lead into the half. 

The Highlanders continued to hold an edge nearly six minutes into the second frame before the Buccaneers knotted things up at 35-35 with 14:14 left. Radford continued to battle though and tied the game up once again at 39-39 with 8:50 remaining.

That is when the two sides went back-and-forth as the following four-plus minutes of action would feature five lead changes and two times the contest was tied.

After Charleston Southern took a three-point lead (49-46 with 5:04 on the clock), Radford would answer right back and get is as close to a one-point game at 49-48 with 4:44 left. It was the closest the Highlanders would get as the Buccaneers were able to escape with the 58-54 win, despite not leading by more than six for the entire contest.

Radford had a chance with 24 seconds left to tie things up at 55-55, but the Highlander three-point attempt bounced out and Charleston Southern would convert enough of its free throw chances down the stretch to seal the victory.
 
THE FACTS
FINAL SCORE: Radford – 54, Charleston Southern – 58
LOCATION: Buccaneer Fieldhouse (Charleston, South Carolina)
RECORDS: Radford: 13-7 (3-2 Big South), CSU: 6-14 (2-3 Big South)
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Truth Harris led the way once again with 13 points to go with four rebounds, two assists and a steal. It was his third straight game with double-digits in points to go with being the seventh such contest he has reached the 10-plus point plateau.
- Jarvis Moss chipped in 12 points of his own along with four boards and two helpers.
- Josiah Harris was a force down low with a game-best in both rebounds (13) and blocks (four). He also added nine points on a 4-of-7 showing from the field (.571). It was his second contest so far this season with four rejections. It tied for the second most rejections recorded in a game by a Big South student-athlete so far this year.
- Brandon Maclin chipped in nine points of his own. He also posted a board and a swipe.
- Zion Walker finished with six points, one rebound and an assist as he continues to work his way back into action.
 
NEXT UP
Radford will return to the friendly confines of the Dedmon Center for another Big South showdown against Longwood on Wednesday, January 22. Tip is set for 7 PM ET and the conference clash will feature a Greek Night celebration as Highlander students return to campus from winter break. Fans and supporters can purchase tickets to the highly-anticipated battle here.

January 18. Tip is set for 2 PM ET inside Colonial Life Arena. The conference clash will be played in front of a national audience on ESPN+ and can be heard anywhere in the country on WRAD.

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