A nailbiter occurred between High Point and Radford on Saturday in Johnson City, Tennessee. High Point used clutch free-throw shooting to salt away the Highlanders by a three-point margin, 76-73, in the Big South Conference Tournament semifinals.
Top-seeded High Point was once again vastly favored for its semifinal clash against fourth-seeded Radford. Radford took down Presbyterian College in the quarterfinal round in overtime, while High Point cruised past Gardner-Webb on Friday. Radford started the game on fire, converting most of its shot attempts within the first few minutes to lead the game 15-9. High Point used the energy of its raucous fan section and roared back into the game to lead by two at the half, 36-34. The Panthers were 5 for 10 from 3 in the first half, with all five 3s coming from five different players. Forward Kimani Hamilton led High Point with eight points at the half.
It became apparent throughout the second half that High Point’s strategy was to get to the rim as quickly as possible. The Highlanders stuck with High Point throughout the second half, switching from man defense to zone, which frustrated the HPU offense. The Panthers stuck with the players who had got them to where they were at this point of the game and season. Though their lead never got larger than 10 points, the Panthers took advantage of Radford’s occasional miscues and won the game after a Radford player got called for a travel with one-second remaining. The Panthers emerged victorious to advance to the championship game for the third time in program history, with Hamilton leading them with 18 points.
High Point used 11 different players in the game, one of its highest of the season in a close game such as this one.
“This time of year, different guys are going to step up in these types of games,” said HPU head coach Alan Huss. “Obviously, Radford (is) down a couple of guys…that’s the way both these teams have been all year, different guys on different nights.”
Panthers star point guard Kezza Giffa only played 25 minutes, but veteran Bobby Pettiford stepped up big time. Pettiford, a former national champion with Kansas, registered 10 points and three boards in 20 minutes of work.
“Since my visit, Kezza [Giffa] has welcomed me in… we make each other better day in and day out,” said Pettiford.
The Panthers now shift to play Winthrop in the Big South title game at noon ET Sunday on ESPN2. The winner claims an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, something High Point has never accomplished in program history.
