The Radford Highlanders pulled off a stunning 10-point upset over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, winning 90-80 at The Dedmon Center. This victory was a significant upset, considering Radford is ranked 248 in the NET rankings, 10 spots lower than Charleston Southern's 238 ranking. Jaylon Johnson led the charge for Radford, scoring 17 points, while A'lahn Sumler had 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists for Charleston Southern. Radford's 50-point first half set the tone for the game, outscoring Charleston Southern by 20 points in the period.
Jaylon Johnson's 17 Points Leads Radford to 90-80 Upset Win
The game got off to a blistering start, with Radford scoring 50 points in the first half, compared to Charleston Southern's 30. The Radford Highlanders maintained a significant lead throughout the game, with Charleston Southern unable to close the gap. Despite a strong second-half effort from Charleston Southern, scoring 50 points, Radford's 40 points were enough to secure the 10-point win. At halftime, Radford led by 20 points, 50-30, and their strong team performance allowed them to hold off Charleston Southern's late surge. Radford's Del Jones had a well-rounded game, scoring 14 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists, while Dennis Parker Jr. added 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Jaylon Johnson and A'lahn Sumler were the top performers in the game, with Johnson scoring 17 points and Sumler adding 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. For Radford, Del Jones had 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Dennis Parker Jr. contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds. Charleston Southern's Nate Brafford and Jacob Taylor each scored 14 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Radford's strong team effort. Radford's top performers combined for 43 points, while Charleston Southern's top performers scored 44 points.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
Radford outscored Charleston Southern by 20 points in the first half, 50-30, and held a 10-point lead at the end of the game. Charleston Southern scored 50 points in the second half, but Radford's 40 points were enough to secure the win. Radford's Dennis Parker Jr. grabbed 11 rebounds, while Del Jones had 5 assists. Charleston Southern's A'lahn Sumler had 5 rebounds and 5 assists, showcasing his all-around skills. The game saw a total of 170 points scored, with Radford shooting 90 points and Charleston Southern scoring 80.
The CHD Scout predicted Radford to win by 2.8 points, with a predicted score of 82-79. While the predicted margin was close, Radford's actual 10-point win was a surprise. The model correctly predicted Radford as the winner, but underestimated the margin of victory. Radford's strong first-half performance and balanced scoring attack were key factors in their upset win. The predicted score was close, but Radford's 90 points exceeded the predicted total.
This game was a Quadrant 4 matchup for both teams, with Radford ranked 248 and Charleston Southern ranked 238 in the NET rankings. The win improves Radford's resume, despite being a Q4 game, and drops Charleston Southern's NET ranking. Radford's 14-13 record and Charleston Southern's 12-15 record will be closely examined by the tournament selection committee. The 10-point win for Radford will be a significant factor in their tournament hopes, as they look to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. With 10 points separating the two teams, Radford's win will be a crucial factor in their tournament resume.
Radford's next game is scheduled for February 17, while Charleston Southern will play on February 19. Both teams want to build on their current momentum, with Radford seeking to continue their winning ways and Charleston Southern aiming to bounce back from the upset loss. Radford will face a tough opponent in their next game, looking to extend their win streak to 2 games.