ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Toyaz Solomon scored 23 points and Justin Wright added 21 as UNC Asheville edged Radford 74-73 in overtime in a Big South Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Kimmel Arena. The Bulldogs avenged a January loss to the Highlanders in a tense contest that required an extra period. Radford’s Dennis Parker and Del Jones each scored 19 points in the loss. The game was tied at 66 after regulation. UNC Asheville outscored Radford 8-7 in overtime to secure the win before a crowd of 1,627. With the result, UNC Asheville improves to 13-15 overall while Radford falls to 15-14.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Toyaz Solomon’s layup with eight seconds remaining in overtime lifted UNC Asheville to a 74-73 victory over Radford in a tense Big South Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Kimmel Arena. The Bulldogs, who led for just over five minutes of game time, erased a six-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation before Solomon’s decisive basket capped a back-and-forth extra period. The win snapped a two-game skid for UNC Asheville and avenged a 19-point loss to the Highlanders earlier this season. Solomon, a 6-foot-9 forward from Enfield, North Carolina, was the game’s dominant force, scoring 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting and grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds. His final basket came after Radford’s Del Jones missed a driving layup on the previous possession. Justin Wright added 21 points and four assists for the Bulldogs, while Kameron Taylor finished with 16 points, six assists and two blocks. The game was a study in contrasting styles. UNC Asheville pounded the ball inside, outscoring Radford 48-20 in the paint and shooting 47.7% from the field. The Highlanders, meanwhile, relied on perimeter shooting and free throws, connecting on 10 of 21 three-point attempts but making only 19 of 30 from the foul line. Radford’s offensive struggles were encapsulated by an efficiency rating of 99.7 points per 100 possessions, compared to 106.2 for UNC Asheville. Radford, which fell to 15-14 overall, was led by Dennis Parker and Del Jones with 19 points apiece. Parker added eight rebounds, while Jones dished out six assists. Lukas Walls chipped in nine points, all from beyond the arc. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minutes of regulation. Trailing 66-60 after a Parker three-pointer with 2:05 left, UNC Asheville closed the second half on a 6-0 run. Wright hit a tough turnaround jumper, and after a Radford shot clock violation, Solomon tied the game at 66-66 on a mid-range jump shot with eight seconds left. Jones’s potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark, forcing overtime. In the extra period, the lead changed hands four times. Radford took a 73-72 lead on a Jones three-pointer with 1:22 left. After a defensive stop, the Highlanders had a chance to extend the lead but Jones turned the ball over on a dribbling violation with 20 seconds remaining. UNC Asheville called timeout and ran a set for Solomon, who received a pass from Kameron Taylor and finished through contact to put the Bulldogs ahead. Radford’s final attempt, another rushed drive by Jones, was contested and missed, with Solomon securing the defensive rebound as time expired. The Bulldogs improved to 13-15 overall and evened their conference record. The game was played before a crowd of 1,627. Both teams struggled with ball security at times, combining for 19 turnovers, but UNC Asheville’s defense was more disruptive, recording eight steals and six blocks. Statistically, the Bulldogs held advantages in assists (8-3), steals (8-3), and blocks (6-4). Radford won the battle on the offensive glass, 11-10, but could not overcome its poor free-throw shooting and inability to contain Solomon in the post. The result continued a trend of close games for Radford, which has seen six of its conference games decided by three points or fewer or in overtime this season. For UNC Asheville, it provided a crucial momentum boost heading into the final week of the regular season. Radford next hosts South Carolina Upstate on Thursday. UNC Asheville travels to face Gardner-Webb the same night.

Radford Aims to Avenge January Loss at UNC Asheville ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — The Radford Highlanders visit the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Saturday in a Big South Conference men’s basketball matchup with both teams seeking momentum ahead of the league tournament. The game tips off at 4:30 p.m. EST at Kimmel Arena. Radford (15-13, 8-7 Big South) enters on a two-game winning streak after an 82-70 victory over Gardner-Webb on Thursday. The Highlanders have won four of their last six. UNC Asheville (12-15, 7-8) looks to rebound from a 74-48 road loss at High Point on Thursday, which snapped a two-game win streak. The Bulldogs are 8-4 at home this season. A key storyline is Radford’s chance for revenge. UNC Asheville won the first meeting this season decisively, 91-72, in Radford on Jan. 10. A player to watch for the Highlanders is Dennis Parker, who is averaging 18.4 points over his last five games. He scored 22 points in 25 minutes in Thursday’s win. The Bulldogs will lean on guard DJ Patrick, their leading scorer in the last meeting with 19 points. He is coming off a 17-point performance in the loss to High Point. Radford’s recent success has been fueled by offense, averaging 83.2 points during its 4-2 stretch. UNC Asheville has struggled offensively at times, scoring 70 or fewer points in eight of its 15 losses. With the Big South Championship seeding at stake, both teams are jockeying for position. Radford currently sits in fourth place, while UNC Asheville is tied for sixth. Following this game, Radford hosts South Carolina Upstate on Feb. 26. UNC Asheville travels to face Gardner-Webb on the same date.