Site: Radford, Va. (Dedmon Center)
Score: High Point 64, Radford 66
Records: High Point 11-17 (5-9), Radford 10-16 (6-8)
RADFORD, Va..—The High Point University Men's Basketball team's comeback fell just short against Radford 66-64 on Saturday afternoon inside the Dedmon Center. Zack Austin led the way for HPU with 24 points and seven rebounds on the evening.
Coach G.G. Smith: "Another close game for us, I thought our guys lost this game in the first five minutes of the game. I did not think we were ready to play. We went down 13-1 to start the game, when you are down that much it makes it hard to come back. Ever since that point, we played well but when you start like that you almost have to play perfectly the rest of the game. Once again it was back and forth late in the game and they made some plays down the stretch and we did not. I thought Zack came to play, he had a really good performance, shot the ball, and rebounded well. John-Michael struggled from the field we have to figure out a way to get him some easier looks. Credit to Radford I thought they played well, it was a big game for both teams, both sides were 5-8 and right now they have the upper hand on our side of the bracket. We have to regroup and get ready for NC A&T."
Panther Particulars
Radford opened the first four minutes of the game on a 13-1 run to start the game. The Highlanders were 3-5 from three-point range through the first four minutes of the contest.
HPU answered the run with a quick five points coming from Austin via a three and a dunk to make it 13-6 with 14:38 to go in the first half.
The Highlanders pushed the lead back out to 22-12 with 10:26 left to play in the first half.
With about eight to play in the first, Alex Holt scored inside on two straight Panther possessions to make it a nine-point game, 27-18.
Austin was able to make a steal with less than six to go as Radford tried to get the ball up the court, Austin found John-Michael Wright who scored to make it 27-20.
Peterson was able to capitalize on an inbound play as he connected with Austin on an alley-oop.
With less than 30 seconds to play in the first quarter, the Panthers had cut it to a five-point game as time ticked down Wright drove and scored to make it a three-point game at the half.
HPU went on a 10-2 run in the last 3:44 of the first half.
Austin led the way at the half for HPU with 11 points.
Wright started the second half for HPU with two straight baskets and gave the Panthers their first lead of the day with 19:12 to play.
With 15:21 to go, Holt scored and was fouled he did not convert on the free throw but brought his Panthers within one.
On that missed free throw, HPU got the rebound and got it over to Austin who hit a three to give the Panthers a 45-43 lead with 14:57 to play.
With 9:30 left in the game, Bryant Randleman tied the game at 49.
Jaden House helped HPU respond as Radford pulled in front, House hit a three to give the Panthers a 52-51 lead with 8:39 to go.
Austin hit his third three of the game with 4:49 to play push his Panthers back in front 57-56.
When HPU needed a big bucket in the second half Austin delivered, with 2:51 to go he slammed home another that gave HPU a one point lead.
Austin's fourth three-pointer of the day came 2:20 to go and put HPU up 62-61.
Radford took a three-point lead with 19 seconds left, House drove down and cut the Highlander lead to one.
Radford held on to win 66-64.
UP Next
HPU enters the final week of the regular season as the Panthers will head across Guilford County to face NC A&T on Wednesday night, February 23rd at 7:00 PM.
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