WASHINGTON, DC --- James "J-Byrd" Daniel, III scored 30 of his game-high 38 points in the second half, including 14 in the two overtime periods, but a Rashun Davis three pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining in the second overtime proved to be the difference as Radford edged Howard University in an entertaining 92-91 shootout at Burr Gymnasium. The loss ended the Bison's undefeated record at home.
The two teams battled back and forth in a game that featured three technical fouls, numerous ties and several lead changes.
The Bison (6-5), who were playing without three of their starters, got some unexpected scoring and support from players not normally accustomed to playing a lot of minutes.
James "JT" Miller (16 points per game), Solomon "Solo" Mangham (9 points per game) and
Damon Collins (12 points per game) were among the starters missing from the Howard lineup. Miller has a broken hand and is out for four weeks. Mangham has a high ankle sprain and Collins has a bad case of the flu.
So the shorthanded Bison turned to reserves
Dalique Mingo,
Kofi Andoh,
Tyler Stone and
Keon Hill and they did not disappoint. Mingo, a sophomore, responded a career-high 15 points; Andoh with nine points; Stone with nine points and nine rebounds; and Hill with five points and three rebounds.
"We are no longer interested in moral victories," said Howard head coach
Kevin Nickelberry. "We were obviously undermanned, but I told the team that this is what we practice and prepare for. These are the moments they have to embrace and take advantage of. We had players like Saleem (Little) and
Cameron Lewis who were playing crucial minutes in their first college games and they helped give us a chance to win. It is all about grit and determination."
Still, Howard trailed 39-30 at halftime to the Highlanders (6-5), who rode the scoring reserve Ed Polite, Jr.'s 13 points off the bench and 10 from Cameron Jones.
Radford was able to maintain an 8-to-10-point lead through most of the early half until Howard's
Marcel Boyd became a factor. The 6-10 junior center tallied 11 of his 15 points in the second half and overtime, once scoring seven straight points to keep his team in the hunt.
That would open the door for Daniel to again perform his magic. The 5-11 junior from Hampton, VA took over the game, scoring on a variety of shots that had the crowd dazzled and the Radford defenders scratching their heads.
Each time his team needed an answer, Daniel found it. After Davis had tied the score at 89 with 23 seconds remaining, it was Daniel who delivered with a floating bank shot with six seconds remaining to put Howard up, 91-89.
"I saw that they went to the double team so I had to go a little early," said Daniel, who leads the nation in scoring with 28 points per game. "I wanted to take it with a little less time but in that situation you have to go with the shot that will give you the chance to win."
The Highlanders inbounded the ball and Davis, who tallied 23 points, got the inbounds pass, pushed it up the court and let loose the shot that went in with a second remaining on the clock.
"He just made a tough shot," said Nickelberry. "I looked at the tape on him and he made the same shot to beat Georgetown in a similar situation."
Daniel was only 2 of 13 from beyond the arc, but he was a perfect 10 for 10 from the free throw line. Boyd, who has emerged as one of the premier defensive post players in the country, scored 15 points and pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds.
"When you have the best player on the court each night and the best big man, then you have a chance," said Nickelberry of Daniel and Boyd. "Marcel has improved so much that it is unbelievable. The game against Purdue has really helped his confidence. He is asserting himself more and more each game."
In the loss to Purdue, Boyd played against the 7 foot centers for the Boilermakers and held his own before fouling out.
"[Purdue's] big men are not just two of the best in the Big Ten, they are two of the best in the country," said the junior from Accokeek, MD. "I thought I played okay against them. I don't think that I will play against anyone else with their talent. It is definitely a confidence booster."
Radford was led by Ed Polite, Jr, who had a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds, Davis with 23 and Jones with 16.
NEXT UPThe Bison close out the 2015 home season next Saturday when they host UMBC at 4 pm.
