CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern's women's basketball team is fresh off exams and ready to get back on the court as the Buccaneers welcome Columbia (S.C.) to the Buccaneer Field House on Monday night. Tipoff between the Bucs and the Fighting Koalas is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
Monday night's game marks the seventh time the two teams have faced off and just the second time the Bucs and Koalas have lined up against each other since the 2004 season. CSU topped the Koalas last season on December 15, 2018, with the 89-57 win at home.
The win improved CSU's winning streak to three consecutive games with victories over Columbia in 2018, 2004 (W, 89-40), and 1987 (W, 79-65). The Fighting Koalas did pick up a pair of wins over the Bucs back in the mid-1980s, while CSU won the inaugural matchup back in 1977, a 70-62 win in Charleston.
CSU is looking to pick up its second win in a row as the Bucs headed into the finals break coming off a 92-55 victory over Virginia University of Lynchburg. The Bucs rode strong performances from
Kelsie Ruff (17 points, nine assists), and
Tyra Wright (16 points, six rebounds) on their way to running away from the Dragons in the second half.
For her performances in the Bucs' last contests, freshman guard/forward
Asia Smith was honored as the Big South's Freshman of the Week for her performances against Western Carolina and Virginia Lynchburg. Smith averaged 10.0 points and nine rebounds per game, while adding her first collegiate double-double in the Bucs' win over the Dragons.
Sharita Godfrey paces the Bucs' scoring efforts with double-digit point games in five of the seven games this year. She's connecting on at least five field goals on four different occasions, while also leading the Bucs with 6.3 rebounds per game.
Carmella Walker is also averaging double-digits in the scoring department this season with 10.0 points per game, including a career-high 18 points against South Carolina State. She leads the Bucs in minutes played on the year, while also recording at least two steals in six of the seven games this season.
Since joining the starting lineup prior to Thanksgiving, junior guard
Kelsie Ruff has been the Bucs go-to scoring option from the floor in each of the last three games. Ruff posted a career-high 18-point performance against Western Carolina, while recording a pair of 17-point efforts against North Dakota and Virginia Lynchburg. Her latest game against VUL included career-highs in assists (9) and rebounds (6).
Freshmen
Sha'Mya Leigh and
Tyra Wright have both started all seven games this season and round out a strong group that features six players new to CSU this season. Leigh is fourth on the team with 7.0 points per game, while Wright's 5.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game are also among the Bucs' team leaders.
The Bucs recent stretch has been highlighted by CSU's strong defensive efforts on the floor. The Bucs have posted three consecutive 14-steal contests, while also limiting their own turnovers to less than 15 on four separate occasions.
Columbia College has had a difficult stretch to open the season as the Fighting Koalas boast a 1-6 record overall heading into the weekend. CC hosts Tennessee Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon prior to their Monday night contest against the Bucs.
Columbia picked up its lone win of the 2019-20 season at home back on November 12 with an 83-42 win over Bob Jones University. Jenesai Mohammed posted 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting, while Denijah Johnson recorded the double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds over 18 minutes of playing action in the win.
Johnson is the team scoring leader on the season with 15.0 points per game, while Mohammed's 11.4 points per contest sitting second among the Koalas' leaders. Johnson boasts 9.7 rebounds per game with four double-doubles on the year to pace Columbia down-low.
Up Next
Charleston Southern remains at home for their final non-conference tune-up prior to the start of Big South play on Friday, December 20, against College of Charleston. Tipoff between the Bucs and the Cougars is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
