Radford's Dennis Parker Jr. Breaks Big South Single-Game Scoring Record
By Radford Athletics
RADFORD, Va. – Dennis Parker Jr. made Radford and Big South Conference men's basketball history Sunday afternoon with a program- and league record for most points in a single game scoring 53 points in the dominant 107-77 victory over Coppin State. The 53 points surpassed the previous Radford record of 43 points set by Doug Day, almost to the day on December 12, 1990. The mark also bested the Big South record, set by Chris Clemons, who scored 51 in the 2017 Big South Quarterfinals against UNC Asheville.
Parker Jr.'s efficiency was on another level as well, with his 19 field goals breaking the program. His 10 three pointers were one off of Day's program record of 11. Lukas Walls (15) and Tyson Brown (14) were also in double figures scoring, while Jaylon Johnson set a season-high by a Highlander with nine assists. Radford forced 23 turnovers by Coppin State on the day, the most by a Radford opponent this season. Radford's 16 three pointers ties the program record for made threes in a game against a Division I foe. The last time Radford hit 16 was in 1998 against VCU.
PLAY BY PLAY
Sunday's game got off to a hot start for the Highlanders, primarily behind the elite shooting effort from Parker Jr. Lukas Walls began the game with a three, but the next 10 straight points all come from Parker Jr. who hit from deep and down low to give Radford a 13-5 lead just two and a half minutes in.
After a transition dunk from Tyson Brown, Parker scored another pair of points that put Radford up 17-5. Radford's lead would hold at 25-10, but a drought combined with a flurry of turnovers saw the Eagles storm back into the game.
Radford had just one make from the floor between the 15-minute mark and the 9-minute of the first half. The Eagles wouldn't catch fire just yet, though as Radford's lead held at 28-15. Suddenly the threes came down in numbers for the Eagles who pulled back even at 34-34 with 4:38 left in the first.
Parker Jr. stayed hot with help from Brown and Erichsen to allow Radford to jump back out ahead. The Highlanders would hit just one shot over the final two minutes of the half, allowing the Eagles to claw the margin to a 43-41 Radford lead at halftime.
Just like the start of the first half, it was the Parker Jr. show as he scored Radford's first eight points to give Radford its breathing room back at 51-41. The fast pace of the game continued, but the Highlanders continued to pace ahead with their lead up to 73-60 with 9:30 to play.
After the under eight media timeout, Radford broke the game open with a 12-0 run as Parker Jr. began his run for the record books. Up 88-67 at the 3:08 mark, Parker Jr. hit a three to break Doug Day's program record and immediately followed up with another three. 40 seconds later, Parker Jr. kept firing with yet another three pointer. With 1:25 to play, Parker Jr. passed Clemons for the Big South record with another three pointer. As the dust settled, his point total rested at 53 as Radford broke away in the 107-77 victory.
UP NEXT
Radford's back on the road for the first time in a few weeks for a big test at William & Mary this Thursday, December 18th. Tip is set for 7 p.m. with the action streaming on Flo Sports.