CSU travels to Winthrop and Radford in Big South weekend action

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern returns to the road as they look to bounce back from this past week inside the Buc Dome as the Lady Bucs travel to Winthrop and Radford in Big South women’s basketball action this week.

The Lady Bucs tipoff against Winthrop in Rock Hill, S.C. on Thursday evening inside the Winthrop Coliseum with game time set for 7 p.m. CSU remains on the road this weekend, traveling to Radford, Va. to take on Radford inside Dedmon Center Arena on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.

Charleston Southern - Winthrop Game Notes l Live Stats l Live Video l Live Audio

Charleston Southern - Radford Game Notes l Live Stats l Live Video l Live Audio

This past week, Charleston Southern (5-9, 0-5 Big South) fell twice at home, suffering losses to visiting Liberty and Longwood inside the Buc Dome.

On Thursday against Liberty, the Lady Flames took control of the game early in the first half, going up 10 with 16:12 to play on their way to building a 45-17 halftime lead. Charleston Southern and Liberty traded baskets throughout the first eight minutes of the second half, but the Lady Flames extended their lead behind the play of Big South CRONS Brand Freshman of the Week Ashley Rininger in closing out the 92-33 win.

Saturday’s action against Longwood saw a balanced offensive attack for the Lady Bucs, but the Lancers were led by Chelsea Coward’s double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds in recording the 67-52 victory. All nine Charleston Southern players who dressed out scored in the game led by senior forward Lakeitha Alston’s second double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds, but it was not enough to pick up the win.

Winthrop leads the all-time series against Charleston Southern, holding a 39-27 advantage over the Lady Bucs. CSU and Winthrop split their games last season with both teams defending their home gymnasium as CSU won at home 83-78, while the Eagles won inside the Coliseum 81-75.

Against Radford, the Highlanders hold the 42-17 series advantage heading into the 60th meeting between the Lady Bucs and RU. Charleston Southern and Radford both won at home last season with the Lady Bucs winning in the NCAA Pack the House Game, 79-69, while the Highlanders won in Radford, Va., 73-66.

Charleston Southern Lady Buccaneers (5-9, 0-5 Big South)
The Lady Bucs have been led on the season by senior forward Lakeitha Alston who continues to work her way into the CSU women’s basketball record books, entering the top 10 in points, field goals made and attempted, field goal percentage and free throws made and attempts. Alston has stepped up her play in conference games, recording two double-doubles in the past three games, including 11 points and 12 rebounds against Longwood.

Erin Bratcher is also in double-digits for the Lady Bucs, averaging 10.3 points per game and entered the top 10 in the CSU record books in three-pointers made, attempted and percentage in her junior season. Bratcher is currently second in the Big South in averaging 2.6 made three-pointers per game on the year.

The Lady Bucs enter this weekend on a five game skid, struggling since their last win on December 19 at home against Western Carolina. CSU fell on New Year’s Eve against local rival College of Charleston before re-entering conference play at the beginning of January, losing to High Point, Coastal Carolina, Liberty and Longwood.

Winthrop Eagles (9-8, 3-2 Big South)
Big South Preseason Player of the Year Dequesha McClanahan leads the way for the Eagles, averaging 17.9 points and 6.2 assists per game in leading Winthrop to a 9-8 record on the season so far. McClanahan, a junior from Oak Ridge, Tenn., also leads the team with 33 steals and has raised her level of play in conference action, averaging 21.8 points per game and leading the Eagles to back-to-back Big South victories.

Diana Choibekova is also averaging double-digits for Winthrop with 13.6 points per game, while Schaquilla Nunn is among the conference leaders, averaging 10.5 rebounds per game and 13.3 rebounds per game in conference play, narrowly missing out on the double-double in averaging 8.9 points per game.

Winthrop enters the game having won three of their past five games, falling in Big South play to Longwood and in non-conference action to South Carolina State, while recording wins against William and Mary, UNC Asheville and Gardner-Webb. The Eagles have been on a six game road trip and their first game back in the Coliseum since December 29 is against Charleston Southern.

Radford Highlanders (8-6, 3-2 Big South)
Ashley Buckhannon leads the Highlanders into action this weekend as the senior guard is the lone Radford player to average double-digits scoring on the season with 12.4 points per game. She is also one of two RU players to have started in every game this season, joined by Victoria Hamilton as the Highlanders feature a balanced scoring attack with at least six players averaging more than six points per game.

Hamilton leads to the team on the glass, averaging 7.9 rebounds per game, while Ayana Avery and Buckhannon provide the outside threat for the Highlanders as the duo combine for four three-pointers per game.

Radford also enters this week on a winning streak, having proven victorious over their past three Big South Conference games, including handing conference leader Presbyterian their first loss of the 2012-2013 season.