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 Antonio Russell had 12 points versus Radford. |
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Nov. 12, 2005
Blacksburg, Va. - Radford placed three players in double figures, including junior Chris Oliver's 29, to lead the Highlanders past Western Carolina, 69-56, Saturday afternoon in the NABC Classic at Virginia Tech's Cassell Coliseum. Joining Oliver in double digits was senior Whit Holcomb-Faye with 18 and junior Reggie McIntyre with 12.
Western Carolina (1-1) looked as if it would control the game early, jumping to a quick 6-2 lead, but a host of turnovers by the Catamounts opened the door for Radford. The Highlanders scored 14 straight points to open a 16-6 lead. In all, RU forced 16 first-half turnovers by WCU and scored 14 points off those turnovers to take a 29-18 halftime lead.
The Catamounts came out firing in the second half and outscore RU 7-2 to close within four on a three-pointer by Eric Wilson. Oliver responded with two free throws and sparked a 12-0 RU run. The Highlanders pushed the lead as high as 21 on an Oliver layup before WCU cut it back to 14 on a pair of free throws by Trey Hopkins. That would be as close as Western Carolina would get as Radford made its free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.
WCU was paced by Antonio Russell's 12 points and Negus McKenna's 10 points. David Berghoefer and Jared Outing each had five rebounds for the Catamounts.
RU (1-1) held the Catamounts to 35.3 percent shooting from the field while firing at a 45.8 percent clip. Both teams were phenomenal from the stripe, shooting a combined 36-for-40. Oliver (5-for-5), McIntyre (6-for-6) and Ross (4-for-4) were all perfect from the line. Ironically, all of Radford's misses came from Holcomb-Faye (8-of-11), RU's best free throw shooter.
Oliver also had two blocks and two steals for RU. Radford's defense forced 12 steals in all. Junior Andre Bynum, who also had five assists to pace RU, collected a team-high three steals. McIntrye, Holcomb-Faye and Ross also had two steals apiece.
Western Carolina will conclude the NABC Classic playing host team Virginia Tech, who fell to Bowling Green Saturday, 72-71. (Western defeated Bowling Green in the first day of the Classic.) The game will be broadcast on the Catamount Sports Network by Gary Ayers and Steve White, which includes radio affiliates in Asheville (WZNN, 1350 AM) and Cullowhee (WWCU, 90.5 FM). If you are out of those media markets, fans can follow the game on the internet at www.wwcufm.com (free), www.supertalk1350.com (free) or www.catamountsports.com (subscription). Also, the game can be followed via livestats on the Virginia Tech's website (hokiesports.com).
