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 MVP, 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.

Related posts:

1. HPU falls in overtime
2. High Point takes down VMI
3. HPU to play in March despite loss

 High Point late game heroics came up short against home standing Liberty University.  The Panthers shot another dismal 38 percent from the floor in the 55-51 loss.

Leading High Point (10-9, 2-3) was Arizona Reid with 25 points and eight rebounds.  The other Panther in double digits was Mike Jefferson with 13 points and a season best eight rebounds.  Liberty (11-9, 3-1) had three players in double figures leading was Alex McLean with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

HPU did not start off well opening the game with a season worst five minute scoring drought.  Over that time, Liberty opened up a nine point lead.  High Point went down 10 before going on a 13-3 run to end the first half.

Score knotted at half time with LU shooting 40 percent from the floor and HPU shooting 37 percent.  Shooting was not the talk of the night.

The Flames built an eight-point lead before the Panthers went on a eight point scoring run to knot it again at 44.  After a trade of three pointers brought the score to 47, Reid hit a lay-up to give the Panthers the lead.

High Point was back in a deficit after the flames grabbed a 51-49 lead.  Reid provided late game excitement hitting two free throws to even the score.

After a missed shot, the push for a rebound lead to a High Point foul with Liberty making two free throws.  The final play of the game was a lay-up to seal the deal for LU.

The Panthers had one bright spot on the day shooting a perfect 10 for 10 from the line.  The Flames shot a respectable 69 percent.  Both teams were the top two teams in free throws in the Big South Conference.

The Panthers return to action Monday night as they play Radford University at the Dedmon Center.  Game time is set for 7 pm.

Related posts:

1. Men's Basketball beats Charleston Southern
2. High Point takes down VMI
3. HPU drops second straight