CCU

Chants Win Third Straight 77-73 Over CSU

       

Chants Win Third Straight 77-73 Over CSU

CONWAY, S.C. — In a clash of the two hottest teams in the Big South Conference, Coastal Carolina University defeated Charleston Southern University 77-73 Saturday afternoon at the CSU Fieldhouse.

Charleston Southern (8-12, 3-4) came into the game on a four-game winning streak and riding high after a road win at three-time conference champion Winthrop on Thursday night, while Coastal Carolina (5-13, 2-4) was riding a two-game winning streak, including a win over Big South leader and previously Conference unbeaten UNC Asheville on Wednesday night.

The Chanticleers held double-digit leads throughtout much of the contest, but a late run by Charleston Southern closed the gap in the waning seconds. After leading 40-29 at the half, Coastal opened a 52-37 lead with 12:08 remaining. The Buccaneers closed the gap to seven with an 8-0 run at the 9:05 mark and with 6:22 to play trailed by six at 59-53. The Chants against opened a double-digit lead at 66-53 with 4:29 to play before CSU made another run.

With 1:17 to play, James Seegars capped a 13-3 run with a long three-pointer, closing the gap to 69-66. Charles White's third of three consecutive baskets cut the lead to 72-70 with 22 seconds remaining, but Coastal Carolina held on by hitting six of seven free throws in the final minute of play.

Coastal Carolina placed four players in double figures, led by Antonio Darden's 20 points. Derrick Robinson scored 16 points, while Kelvin Coggins and Brandon Newby scored 15 and 13 points, respectively. Coastal out-scored Charleston Southern 31-9 at the free throw line as the Chants hit all 12 of their free throws in the opening half and 31-of-38 for the game.

Charleston Southern, which out-rebounded Coastal Carolina, 38-27, and shot 50.9 percent from the field, was led by White's 18 points. Seegars added 14 and Chris Warzynski scored 12.

Coastal Carolina returns to action at home in Kimbel Arena on Thursday, January 31, at 7:00 p.m. as the Chants host Winthrop. Charleston Southern will travel to Birmingham-Southern on Tuesday afternoon for a 1:00 p.m. start.