Double-digit comeback drives Radford past Northern Colorado for Mayan Division title

RADFORD 79, NORTHERN COLORADO 68

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MX — Radford climbed back after a double-digit deficit in the first half and held strong the rest of the way, taking down Northern Colorado to win the Mayan Division title at the 2023 Men’s Cancun Challenge.

The Highlanders (4-3) got 22 points from DaQuan Smith, who was named the Mayan Division most valuable player. TJ NeSmith added 14 points and six rebounds for Radford, and both Kenyon Giles and Bryan Antoine had 11 points.

The Highlanders trailed 20-7 in the early going before getting dialed in; they shot 47 percent from the field, had nine steals and a 37-32 lead in rebounds.

The Bears (3-3) closed within 63-62 on a 3-pointer from Riley Abercrombie with 5:10 remaining in the first half. Radford settled down for the stretch run, with a dunk from NeSmith making it 70-64 at the 3:36 mark.

Saint Thomas had 19 points and five rebounds for UNC; Abercrombie closed with 14 points and Dejour Reaves scored 12 points.

Joining Smith on the Mayan Division all-tournament team was Thomas and Reaves from UNC, Giles from Radford, Wynston Tabbs from Morgan State and Wesley Cardet Jr. from Chicago State.

‍