First Half Propels Radford Over Liberty in Men’s Basketball

RADFORD, Va. - Radford University on senior night, sent lone senior Raymond “Peanut” Arrington of in style with a strong first half to down Liberty University, 81-56 in men’s basketball action Friday night at the Dedmon Center, in front of a regional television audience. (Box Score)

With the victory the Highlanders improved to 8-19 overall and more importantly 6-8 in league action, to wrap-up the sixth seed in the Big South Conference Tournament next week. The Flames, hoping to secure the second seed with a victory over RU, suffered their fourth consecutive loss, fell to 13-14 overall and 8-6 in league action, will have to wait for tomorrow’s slate of games to find out their seed and opponent.

Arrington, his final game at the Dedmon Center helped lead RU to a season high in points (81) and margin of victory (15) to closeout the regular season with a victory and continue RU’s dominance over the Flames at the Dedmon Center to 15-2.

Leading the Highlanders in scoring for the eighth time in the last nine games was freshman Whit Holcomb-Faye with 19 points. Fellow freshman Chris Prince and Arrington each added 12. On the glass junior Matt James continued to impress, grabbing eight of his team high 10 in the first half. Prince chipped in with eight boards to help pace the Highs.

Liberty leading scorer Gabe Martin led Liberty with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Vincent Okotie was the only other Flame in double-figures with 13, as the Radford bench outscored the Liberty bench 39-to-six.

In the first half, RU scored nine of the games 12 points to take a 9-3 lead. A Jermery Monceaux bucket would cut into the RU advantage moments later to two, 9-7. RU opened up the game from that point, holding the Flames scoreless 3:09 with a 7-0 run to take a commanding 16-7 lead. The Highlanders would not be done. They built their advantage to 14 points with 6:49 remaining, and held Liberty to three field goals in over the final 6:49 of the half to enter the break with a 37-22 lead.

In the second it was more of the Highlanders as the Flames could only pull within 12, twice as Radford held Liberty to 12 points over the final 13:33 of the game to secure the victory.

Next up for both teams will be the first round of the Big South Tournament next Tuesday at home sites. Liberty will host, while Radford will be on the road for the opening round. If either teams advance, the semi-finals and final will be played at the Vines Center on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. on Friday and Saturday.