FAIRLAWN, Va. (Interstat) — A surging High Point team aims to solidify its Big South Conference standing when it visits Radford on Friday night in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball matchup at the D.N. Dedmon Center.

The Panthers (17-4) enter as heavy favorites, boasting one of the nation’s top mid-major records and riding a wave of dominant performances. Their most recent outing was an 89-69 rout of South Carolina Upstate last Saturday. High Point’s offense has been explosive, scoring 104 and 123 points in two of its last five home games.

Terry Anderson leads the charge for High Point. The guard is averaging 20.4 points over his last five games, including a 29-point, 8-rebound effort in a win over Longwood on Jan. 3. His backcourt play will be central to the Panthers’ attack.

Radford (11-10) looks to bounce back from a heartbreaking 76-75 road loss at Winthrop on Wednesday. The Highlanders have shown resilience at home, where they are 8-2 this season, including an 85-83 victory over Longwood last Saturday.

The Highlanders will rely on the hot hand of guard Del Jones, who has scored 25 or more points in three of his last four games. He poured in 27 points in a win at Gardner-Webb on Jan. 14 and matched that total in a victory over Presbyterian on Jan. 7. Containing Jones will be a primary defensive focus for High Point.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, High Point has a 76.60 percent probability to win. The Panthers have been installed as a 7.5-point road favorite, with the over/under set at 167 points.

This game is the first of a home-and-home series between the teams, who will meet again at High Point on Feb. 7. For Radford, a win would provide a major resume boost and shake up the conference race. For High Point, it’s a chance to prove its lofty record is no fluke against a tough road opponent.