RADFORD -- Radford used a 21-8 second half run en route to a 81-65 against East Tennessee State Wednesday night in the Dedmon Center.
The win was RU's (14-9) season high fifth in a row, and it clinched the Highlanders eighth consecutive winning season. (See box score.)
Trailing 48-45 with 15 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the game, RU embarked on the 21-8 run that was capped by a Jon Belt layup with 5 minutes, 15 seconds remaining that made the score 66-58. Six different RU players scored during the outburst, which was started by a Leslie Ballard layup.
The Bucs cut the deficit to 66-58 on a pair of Adrian Meeks free throws but got no closer. RU had two layups and two dunks and converted 7-of-free throws in the final 4 minutes, 15 seconds to seal the win. Eric Parker's dunk made the score 81-65 and provided RU with its largest lead of the game.
Radford shot a searing 64 percent in the first half and took a 41-36 lead into the half after Corey Reed drained a jumper in the lane at the buzzer. ETSU shot the ball extremly well in the first half, making 15-of-28 shots.
In the second half, RU turned up the defensive intensity and limited the Bucs to 31 percent (15-28) shooting from the field in the final 20 minutes.
For the game, RU shot 55 percent from the field and drained six of its 15 three pointers.
Corey Reed led the Highlanders in scoring with 21 points. Kevin Robinson recored his eighth double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Chibi Johnson scored 11 points and Leslie Ballard netted 10.
Reggie Todd scored a game high 25 points, 16 of which came in the second half to lead the Bucs. Greg Stephens tallied 13 points for the Bucs, who shot 41 percent from the field.
See 1997-98 RU Men's Basketball Cumulative Statistics
Quotes from RU Coach Ron Bradley
"I thought we really battled tonight. We played strong, especially in the second half."
On Chibi Johnson
"He came into the game with about 15 minutes left, and he really changed
the tempo of the game."
On the inside play and Kevin Robinson
"The inside game really opens thing up for us on the perimeter. I think
Kevin Robinson is back. He was very aggresive tonight and he played strong."
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