FAIRLAWN, Va. (Interstat) — Logan Duncomb’s tip-in at the buzzer lifted Winthrop to an 80-78 victory over Radford in a Big South Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at the D.N. Dedmon Center. The Eagles led by six at halftime but needed the final play to secure the win after the Highlanders’ second-half rally. Duncomb scored 18 points for Winthrop. Del Jones led Radford with 21 points and Dennis Parker added 20. Winthrop improved to 17-8 overall. Radford fell to 13-12. An announced crowd of 1,814 attended.

FAIRLAWN, Va. (Interstat) — Logan Duncomb’s tip-in with two seconds remaining lifted Winthrop to a dramatic 80-78 victory over Radford in a tense Big South Conference men’s basketball clash Wednesday night at the D.N. Dedmon Center. The Eagles, who led for nearly the entire contest, saw a once-comfortable 14-point first-half advantage evaporate completely in the second half before Duncomb’s final effort secured the season sweep of the Highlanders. Winthrop improved to 17-8 overall and solidified its position in the upper tier of the conference standings. Radford, which mounted a furious comeback behind a blistering second-half offensive display, fell to 13-12. The game’s defining sequence came in the final frantic moments. With the score knotted at 78 and under 30 seconds to play, Winthrop worked for a final shot. A missed three-pointer by Kareem Rozier was followed by a missed put-back attempt by Kody Clouet, but Duncomb secured the offensive rebound and his initial layup try rolled off. The 6-foot-10 center from Cincinnati stayed with the play, grabbing the ball again and softly banking in the game-winner before being mobbed by teammates. Radford, which had erased a 42-36 halftime deficit, called a timeout but could not get a shot off before the buzzer. The contest was a tale of two halves. Winthrop controlled the opening period with efficient interior play, scoring 38 of its 42 first-half points in the paint and building a lead that stretched to 14 points. Duncomb was instrumental throughout, finishing with 18 points and five assists, often orchestrating the offense from the high post. Radford’s response after halftime was swift and sharp. The Highlanders scored 42 points in the second half, shooting 50% from the field and ratcheting up defensive pressure. Del Jones, who led all scorers with 21 points, and Dennis Parker, who added 20, fueled the surge. A 12-2 Radford run midway through the half gave the Highlanders their first lead since the game’s opening minute, setting the stage for a back-and-forth final ten minutes that featured six ties and three lead changes. Neither team could create separation down the stretch. Winthrop’s Kody Clouet hit a critical three-pointer with 5:21 left to tie the game at 75, and the teams traded empty possessions and single free throws until the final dramatic sequence. Beyond Duncomb’s heroics, Winthrop received balanced scoring. Clouet scored 17 points, while Rozier added 13 and Josh Meo contributed 11. The Eagles won despite being outrebounded 39-31 and allowing 12 offensive boards, overcoming those deficits with a more efficient shooting night (48.3% to 42.4%) and forcing 12 Radford turnovers. Jaylon Johnson facilitated the Radford offense with six assists to go with seven points, and Tyson Brown provided a physical presence inside with seven points and a game-high 11 rebounds. The game was a mirror image of the teams’ first meeting on Jan. 21, which Winthrop won 76-75 on its home floor. This latest chapter adds another tight contest to the recent series history. Statistically, the game was remarkably even. Both teams scored 13 points off turnovers and committed a similar number of giveaways. Winthrop held a slim edge in assists, 9-7, and steals, 9-7. The Eagles’ ability to finish at the rim, where they outscored Radford 38-32, proved to be a decisive factor, especially on the final possession. The announced attendance was 1,814. Winthrop returns home to face Longwood on Saturday. Radford travels to face High Point, also on Saturday.

Preview: Winthrop Eagles at Radford Highlanders FAIRLAWN, Va. (Interstat) — A pivotal Big South Conference rematch awaits Wednesday night when the Winthrop Eagles visit the Radford Highlanders at the D.N. Dedmon Center. The Eagles (16-8, 7-2 Big South) enter on a seven-game winning streak, their latest an 84-71 victory over UNC Asheville on Saturday. They sit near the top of the conference standings and will look to complete a regular-season sweep of the Highlanders. Winthrop’s surge has been fueled by the dominant play of forward Logan Duncomb. Over his last seven games, Duncomb is averaging 22.9 points per contest, including a 38-point outburst at Presbyterian on Jan. 24 and a 26-point, 10-rebound double-double in his last outing. He scored 17 points in the first meeting with Radford. Radford (13-11, 5-4) aims to halt that streak and avenge a narrow 76-75 road loss to Winthrop on Jan. 21. The Highlanders are coming off a grueling 93-84 double-overtime win at Presbyterian on Saturday, where guard Jaylon Johnson logged 40 minutes and scored 23 points. Johnson, a key player for Radford, was held to just six points in the loss at Winthrop earlier this month. The Highlanders have shown resilience at home in conference play and will need to contain Duncomb and Winthrop’s offensive rhythm. The Eagles have been efficient during their streak, winning their last three games by an average of 12.7 points. Wednesday’s contest is a critical opportunity for Radford to improve its conference positioning and for Winthrop to solidify its status as a league frontrunner. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.