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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
FrederikErichsen
Ethan Neal
59
USC Upstate USCU 12-18,4-11 Big South
71
Winner Radford Rad 16-14,9-6 Big South
USC Upstate USCU
12-18,4-11 Big South
59
Final
71
Radford Rad
16-14,9-6 Big South
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
USC Upstate USCU 30 29 59
Radford Rad 29 42 71

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Highlanders Set Program Record, Overcome Slow Start for Key Win over USC Upstate

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's basketball program broke the program record for three-pointers in a single season Thursday night, using their three-point shooting to overcome a slow start and defeat USC Upstate 71-59.
 
KEY STATS
  • With 10 three's tonight, Radford's season total is now up to 288 passing the original program record of 285 for threes in a season set by the 2018-19 squad.
  • Radford's offense hit from every angle in the game led by Lukas Walls who had 16 points off a perfect three-for-three mark from beyond the arc.
  • Radford's primary scoring trio of Dennis Parker Jr., Del Jones and Jaylon Johnson combined for just four points in the first half. That trio would turn it around with 24 points combined in half two.
  • USC Upstate out-rebounded Radford 17-8 on the offensive boards, but Radford led in second chance points 13-10.
  • Radford finishes the season with 12 wins at home, their most since winning 12 as well in 2014-15.
 
PLAY BY PLAY
It was a sluggish start for both squads and the physical intensity was set early as USC Upstate collected three offensive boards in their first possession. Walls jumpstarted the offense with an and-one and a three-pointer, leading the offensive efforts overall through the first 20 minutes. Looking for answers on the offensive end, Frederik Erichsen helped answer that call with six points including a triple.
 
With eight minutes left in the half, Radford trailed by a slim margin at 20-18. Brennan Rigsby Jr. would land a big three for the Highlanders, vaulting the team back ahead. Walls followed with a three, but for the final five minutes of the half Radford's only made shot from the floor came at the buzzer. Jones made a great block on a fastbreak try by the Spartans, Louie Jordan collected and fired from midcourt before the buzzer rang and sank it to cut the Spartans lead to just 30-29 at the break.
 
The Highlanders reversed script in the second half with a renewed energy on the offensive end. Threes from Walls and Jones kickstarted the back 20 of the game and a floater by Jones put Radford ahead 37-34 just three minutes in. A 9-2 run came behind makes from Parker Jr., Rigsby Jr., and an Erichsen and-one for a 46-39 advantage.
 
After Radford established their first large lead of the night, the Spartans responded with two straight threes before the under-8 media. Out of that break, Radford fired right back as Parker Jr. hit a big floater to break the run. Off his own second chance rebound, Mari Jordan delivered ice with a three that put Radford up 58-49.
 
The Spartans offense seemed to run out of steam down the stretch as the Highlanders kept rolling along. Jones hit a smooth step back three and was followed by Walls who hit a shot while sitting on the floor. The rest was procedural as the Highlanders were able to pick up the big 71-57 victory.
 
AROUND THE BIG SOUTH
  • High Point and Presbyterian were close throughout in a tight battle on ESPNU, with the Panthers pulling out the 79-73 win and earning sole possession of the regular season title.
  • Charleston Southern was handed their first back-to-back conference losses as Charleston Southern picked up a huge win at home 86-84.
  • Gardner-Webb led for a majority of the second half, but UNC Asheville was able to burst ahead late for a 77-71 road win.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders go on the road for the regular season finale Saturday afternoon at their in-state rivals Longwood in a game loaded with postseason seeding implications. Action is set to tip at 3:00 p.m. on ESPN+.

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
 
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