HPU's season done with loss at Radford

Top-seeded Highlanders too much for underdog Panthers

By: Bryan Rothamel

Posted: 2/27/09

High Point University's men's basketball team fell to top-seeded Radford University 82-58 in the quarterfinals of the Big South Tournament.

HPU (9-21) could not stop the inside presence allowing Radford (19-11) to score 38 points in the paint. In the second half, High Point also shot a dismal 11-for-35 from the floor for 31.4 percent.

"They did extend their pressure and we were challenged at the rim," Panthers coach Bart Lundy said.

Pacing the Panthers was Gene Harris with 12 points, all were converted three-pointers. David Singleton scored 11 points while dishing out six assists. Cruz Daniels finished with four blocks and nine rebounds.

Big South Player of the Year, Art Parakhouski, scored 24 points for the Highlanders. Junior Amir Johnson finished close to a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Kenny Thomas and Joey Lynch-Flohr finished with double figures, 19 and 12 points respectively.

Daniels said of Parakhouski's play and the game's result, "He's a good player. I figured we prepared well for the game but it's completely different when you are out there."

Coming out of the break HPU trailed by 13. After a 5-0 run, Harris missed a 3-pointer leading to an emphatic dunk by Parakhouski who was fouled by Daniels on the play. The fast break led to a 28-6 Radford run that put the game out of reach for the Panthers.

In the first half HPU could not stop the inside presence of Parakhouski and Lynch-Floh posting 16 and 10 points respectively. Floor general Amir Johnson played all 20 minutes dishing out six assists.

Guards Nick Barbour, Harris and Singleton dominated HPU's first half. Barbour scored all of his eight points while Harris and Singleton chipped in six apiece. Cruz Daniels pulled down three rebounds, all on the defensive end.

High Point is done for the year. This year's 21 losses were the second most losses in High Point history and the most losses since the 1953-54 campaign. The team that year finished 7-23.

"[HPU's] record this year was not indicative of their season," said Radford coach, Brad Greenberg, following the game.

All higher seeds in the Big South won the opening round. Thursday night's action will feature VMI vs. Liberty for the early contest and Radford vs. UNC-Asheville in the late game. Both games can be seen on ESPNU and are hosted by Radford. The championship game will be played at highest remaining seed.