CHARLESTON, S.C. - A highly entertaining game in which two Buccaneer players, senior guard Chris Moore (Morganton, N.C.) and freshman guard Jamarco Warren (Gainesville, Ga.), both set a program record for three pointers in a game by one player with eight, ultimately ended in frustrating fashion, as two Travis Holmes free throws with 2.5 seconds left propelled VMI to a 93-91 overtime victory over CSU in both teams' conference opener.

No Charleston Southern men's basketball player had ever connected on more than seven three pointers in a game until Moore connected on his eighth of the night with 3:50 remaining in the second half. Moore's record-breaking triple was no run of the mill three point shot, but actually provided the Bucs with a 74-71 lead and their first lead since 14-12 in the first half. In the second half, Moore made all five of his field goal attempts, which were all threes, and scored a career-high 28 points on the night to rally CSU.

The three was indicative of a strong shooting second half overall from the Bucs, who connected on 68.8% of their three point efforts, making 11 of them, in the game's second session. This impressive long-range barrage from Barclay Radebaugh's squad allowed CSU to overcome a 36-27 VMI halftime lead and an edge the Keydets extended as high as 11 in the second half.

Reggie Williams had lived up to his billing as the nation's leading scorer by contributing 12 first half points for the Keydets, which matched the total of second-leading scorer Chavis Holmes in the opening 20 minutes. The duo were continually counted on to score by VMI head coach Duggar Baucom as the game progressed.

Williams in particular delivered, connecting on his first and only three pointer on the night with 1:30 remaining to give the Keydets an 80-78 lead. The bucket was the last of nine consecutive VMI points scored by Williams in the final moments of regulation.

The Bucs responded after the Williams make, as CSU's own leading scorer, freshman Omar Carter, leaped high to corral a rebound and quickly finished to score two of his 17 points on the night and, more importantly, tie the score at 80. Both teams had chances to win the game in regulation, but a missed free throw by Quinton Goods, missed three pointers by Chavis Holmes and Omar Carter on both ends and a missed desperation three from Travis Holmes ensured that the game would be played for five extra minutes.

In the extra period, Warren would match Moore for the newly set program record by connecting on his own eighth three with 4:17 remaining in OT, a three that evened the score at 83. Warren's eighth three was the product of a remarkable recovery from a tough first half in which he missed his first five three point attempts and eight of 10 for the half, as CSU shot 20% from three in the first 20 minutes. The second half and overtime would be a completely different story for the Georgian, however, as Warren would connect on his first six threes, capped by the overtime make. All told, Jamarco finished with 26 points Saturday.

VMI answered by turning to the three point shot as well. Austin Kenon (17 points), who joined Williams (30 points), Chavis (22 points) and Travis Holmes (16 points), in double figures for VMI, was the star of the extra period, as the freshman made back-to-back VMI threes to push the Keydet lead to four at 89-85.

The Bucs responded with a six point run to return the Bucs to the lead at 91-89 with 36 seconds left. The lead could have been larger, however, if not for missed CSU free throws in the extra period. The Bucs made only two of five attempts from the charity stripe and were a disappointing eight of 18 (44.4%) from the line for the game.

Once more, Baucom turned to Williams for a key bucket, and Williams delivered with a driving layup to the basket which notted the score once more at 91 with just 25 seconds left. With the shot clock turned off, the Bucs had a chance to win the game, but a step-back Warren three pointer caught the front iron. On the rebound of the miss, Austin Johnson was adjudged to have fouled Travis Holmes, sending the junior to the free throw line at the other end of the floor.

Holmes then proceeded to connected on both free throws for the game's final two points. The makes were part of a 14 for 18 (77.8%) free throw shooting night by VMI, decisively yielding last year's Big South tournament runners-up six more points than CSU had from the stripe.

The Bucs did hold other advantages in the game, however, as CSU won the shooting battle (41.3% to 40.0%), the three point shooting battle (39.5% to 37.5%) and the battle of the boards, outrebounding VMI 55-49, paced by 10 rebounds by junior forward Giedrius Knysas. Travis Holmes (13 rebounds) and Williams (10 rebounds) picked up double doubles for the Keydets.

Turnovers were even at 15, while VMI picked up 22 assists to 18 from CSU. The leading assister for the Bucs was Johnson, who had five and impressed with his hustle play down the stretch.

The Bucs will face a quick turnaround from this highly entertaining yet ultimately heart-breaking game. Their next game will be Monday against Radford, themselves one-point losers to Coastal Carolina Saturday, at CSU Field House at 7:30 P.M.