GAME INFO
Saturday, Jan. 4-- at Radford (Radford, Va.), 4:30 p.m.
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The High Point University men's basketball team (3-10) will kick off Big South Conference play when it travels to Radford (5-7) on Saturday evening (Jan. 4).
 
Matchup History
Radford holds a 26-21 edge in the series record, while winning both games last season. The Highlanders took the first game in Radford, 69-66 in overtime, while earning a 72-54 victory in High Point en route to the 2019 Big South Regular Season Championship.
 
Across the Bench
Radford comes into the contest after rounding out its non-conference scheduled with a 5-7 record. The Highlanders earned wins over Bridgewater, Big Ten foe Northwestern, James Madison, Richmond and Central Penn.
 
The Highlanders are led by Carlik Jones, who is averaging 18.3 points per game and a team-leading 66 assists while shooting 47.8 percent (20-42) from the perimeter and 48.4 percent from the floor.
 
RU is coached by Mike Jones, who is in his ninth season in Radford. Jones has led the Highlanders to the 2018-19 Big South Regular Season Championship, 2017-18 Big South Tournament Championship and the 2017-18 NCAA Tournament.
 
Career High for CHIII
Sophomore Curtis Holland III recorded a career-high 25 points while shooting 8-11 from the field and 6-9 from beyond the arc in HPU's 92-66 victory over Belmont Abbey (Dec. 21). He was sidelined with a minor injury for HPU's matchup at Texas (Dec. 30).
 
But He's Only a Freshman
Freshman John-Michael Wright leads all Big South freshmen in scoring averaging 13.4 per game, which also ranks him 11th in scoring in the conference overall. He is also the top freshman in rebounding with 5.4 boards per game, which is also ranked 11th overall in the conference.
 
JMW Seeing Double
John-Michael Wright has recorded double digits in 10 of his first 13 games, including his last five contests. He has reached the 20-point plateau twice, including a career-high 25 points against Valpo (12/18/19).
 
Make that Three Honors for JMW
John-Michael Wright was named Big South Freshman of the Week for the third time (Dec. 16) after recording his first double-double (12p, 10r) at FAU. This is Wright's third weekly honor, the most of anyone this season.
 
JUST BLOCKin' it
Redshirt junior Cliff Thomas Jr. ranks sixth in the Big South with 0.9 blocks per game.
 
Offensive boards
Redshirt sophomore Caden Sanchez ranks second in the Big South with 2.4 offensive rebounds a game.
 
they are free for a reason
High Point ranks second in the Big South with a .727 free throw percentage.
 
Defensive boards
High Point leads the Big South with 32 rebounding defense
 
Milestone Moment
High Point's 92-66 win over Belmont Abbey on Dec. 21 was the 2,500th game in program history.
 
Up Next: HPU will return to Millis Center on Wednesday (Jan. 8) for its first conference home contest of the season when the Panthers host Winthrop at 7 p.m.
 
 
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