Keel and Kee Score Personal Highs, but Highlanders Fall at #11 Tennessee

Monday, November 9

Knoxville, TN

7:00 PM

Radford University

0-3,0-0Big South

Tennessee

2-0,0-0SEC

Team	1	2	F
Radford	24	23	47
Tennessee	33	37	70

Photo by: Matthew Maldonado

11/9/2026 9:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Radford men's basketball program fell victim to some cold shooting at #11 Tennessee Monday night coming up short in the 70-47 final despite career high scoring nights from Warren Keel Jr. and Jordyn Kee.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Keel Jr. came off the bench and gave Radford consistent offense over both halves, scoring a career high 13 points.
Kee led Radford's offense overall thanks in part to a trio of makes from beyond the arc, finishing with 16 points.
Tennessee's defense stifled the Highlanders to a season low in points, but the Highlanders were able to force 16 Volunteer turnovers with Kee leading with four steals.
Caden Cantrell and Kolier Pruett logged their first minutes of the season while Kye Davis also scored his first career points beating the shot clock late with a layup.

THE PLAY BY PLAY
Out of the gates it was a slow start for both squads with Radford taking advantage for an early lead. Free throws from Gabriel Ferreira paired with a three from Tristan Gross had Radford up 6-4 four minutes in. Radford continued to pace ahead as turnovers mounted for the Volunteers and Keel Jr. added his first points that made it a 10-6 lead.

After Gross' hot start, Cameron Jackson would also come off the bench for some big defensive minutes for Radford quickly grabbing six rebounds before the half would end. Tennessee would claw back a lead but a three pointer by Kee pulled Radford back within 20-19 with six minutes before halftime. Over those final six minutes, Radford would only get two made shots from the field, both from Keel Jr. and Kee, and trail 33-24.

Unfortunately, Radford's cold shooting carried over into the second half. Tennessee would never fully break away, though, thanks to strong defensive efforts from Highlanders up and down the bench. Keel Jr. would pace the team out of halftime but they found themselves trailing 42-27 with 14:18 to play.

Kee would especially heat up, but the Highlanders had no answers in between Kee and Keel Jr.'s makes to close the gap. After the under four media timeout, the team found some rhythm after an and-one by Kee. Davis added his first bucket of the season while Ferreira ended the game as he began it with some makes from the free throw line. All in all, Radford couldn't overcome Tennessee's large lead as the hosts held on in the 70-47 final.

UP NEXT
The Highlanders are finally back in the Dedmon Center for their home opener on Saturday, November 14th against Shenandoah. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+ with a Rowdy Red t-shirt giveaway prior to the game and the ZOOperstars performing at half time.

STAY SOCIAL WITH RADFORD MEN'S BASKETBALL
For all the latest on Radford Men's Basketball, be sure to follow the team on X (@RadfordHoops), Instagram (@radfordhoops), and "like" the team's official Facebook Page (Radford Men's Basketball).

#RiseAndDefend