Holcomb-Faye, Gill Hit for Caerrer Bests, But Men's Basketball Falls for Seventh Straight Time to St. Francis (NY)

MIAMI, Fla. - Whit Holcomb-Faye hit for a career best 27 points, grabbed a career high nine rebounds and dished out six assists, however it was not enough for the Highlanders as they fell for the seventh straight time 69-63 Saturday night to St. Francis College (NY) in the consolation game of the FIU/Hampton Inn New Year's Classic. (Box Score)

The Highlanders, who finished the December 0-6, fell to 2-7 on the season, their worst start in school history. Junior Aaron Gill added a career best 14 points while collecting his second career double-double with 10 rebounds.

St. Francis opened up a tightly contested first half with an eight-to-two run to take a 27-18 lead with just 4:14 remaining in the half. The Terriers would lead by as much as 10 points in the first frame and take a 30-22 lead into the half.

St. Francis opened up the second half with a lay-up on their first possession giving them a 10-point cushion. That would spark RU, as they would pull within one, 34-33 with 16:33 remaining thanks to an 11-2 run. In that run Holcomb-Faye scored seven points, including a perfect four-for-four from the free throw line to spark the Highs.

St. Fancis would respond and not relinquish the lead until Gill converted a lay-up at 10:40, for a brand new ball game, 42-42. The Highlanders would build a five point lead moments later, however three costly turnovers by Radford down the stretch send RU reeling for the seventh straight time.

Radford returns home from their four game, nine-day trip on January 2 when they host four-time defending Big South Conference Champion, Winthrop at 8 p.m. It will be the conference opener for both schools.