The Radford Highlanders, led by Dennis Parker Jr.'s 22 points, controlled the tempo of the game from the outset, taking a 48-34 lead into halftime, with Gardner-Webb struggling to contain Radford's offense, which shot 51.7% from the field in the first half. Radford's dominance was evident, with the team outscoring Gardner-Webb by 14 points in the paint, and their bench outscoring Gardner-Webb's 20-10. The Runnin' Bulldogs, on the other hand, were led by Jacob Hudson's 16 points and 6 rebounds, but their offense was unable to keep pace with Radford's, shooting just 37.5% from the field in the first half. As the game wore on, it became clear that Radford's offense was too much for Gardner-Webb to handle, with the Highlanders extending their lead to as many as 18 points in the second half, before ultimately winning by 12, 82-70. Over the last five games, Radford has averaged 84.4 points per game, outscoring their opponents by an average of 3.4 points, with their most recent win coming against Charleston Southern, 84-75.
Radford's 82-70 Victory Over Gardner-Webb Marks Their Third Win in Five Games
Dennis Parker Jr.'s performance was a key factor in Radford's victory, as he hit several big shots, including a three-pointer with 10 minutes remaining to push Radford's lead to 15 points. Del Jones also had a strong game, scoring 14 points, including 8 in the second half, to help Radford maintain their lead. Tyson Brown added 11 points and 14 rebounds, providing a spark off the bench for the Highlanders. For Gardner-Webb, Jacob Hudson and Jacob Hogarth were the only players to score in double figures, with Hudson's 16 points and 6 rebounds leading the way. However, the team's lack of depth and inconsistent shooting ultimately doomed their chances of pulling off the upset. Gardner-Webb has now lost 10 consecutive games, and their last five by an average margin of 15.6 points, with their most recent loss coming against Longwood, 66-86.
As the game played out, it became clear that CHD Scout's prediction of a 24.7-point Radford victory was a bit optimistic, but the Highlanders' dominance was evident from the start.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The prediction was correct, but the margin was off, and this can be attributed to Gardner-Webb's ability to stay within striking distance in the second half, thanks in part to their 42.9% shooting from the field. Radford's defense, which has been a strength all season, was able to limit Gardner-Webb's scoring opportunities, holding them to just 36 points in the paint. The Highlanders' offense, on the other hand, was able to exploit Gardner-Webb's defense, scoring 48 points in the paint, and outscoring them by 12 points in that area. Over the last five games, Radford has allowed an average of 81 points per game, while Gardner-Webb has allowed an average of 88.8 points per game, with their most recent game seeing them allow 86 points to Longwood.
The victory for Radford marks their third win in five games, and improves their record to 15-13, with a NET ranking of 240. The win also gives Radford a Quad 4 victory, which could be important for their tournament resume. For Gardner-Webb, the loss drops them to 3-26, with a NET ranking of 362, and a Quad 3 loss.
The loss for Gardner-Webb is just another in a long line of defeats, and it's clear that their season is all but over. For Radford, the win is a step in the right direction, but they still have work to do if they want to make a push for the tournament. With a current NET ranking of 240, Radford is still on the outside looking in, but a strong finish to the season could change that. The Highlanders have a chance to make a statement in their next game, and a win could go a long way in improving their tournament chances. Radford's Quad 4 win over Gardner-Webb is a positive step, but they must continue to win and improve their NET ranking if they want to be considered for a tournament bid.
In recent games, Radford has been on a tear, averaging 84.4 points per game over their last five, and outscoring their opponents by an average of 3.4 points. Their most recent win came against Charleston Southern, 84-75, and they have also beaten Presbyterian, 93-84, and High Point, 90-80, over the last five games. Gardner-Webb, on the other hand, has been struggling, losing all five of their last games by an average margin of 15.6 points. Their most recent loss came against Longwood, 66-86, and they have also lost to Charleston Southern, 66-75, and High Point, 87-112, over the last five games. With just a few games left in the season, Radford is looking to make a push for the tournament, and a strong finish could put them in contention for a bid. The Highlanders have a tough schedule ahead of them, but if they can continue to play at a high level, they may be able to sneak into the tournament field.