CHARLESTON, S.C. - Another back and forth game for Charleston Southern turned into a close 63-65 loss vs. the Winthrop Eagles Tuesday, at the CSU Field House. The Bucs outscored the Eagles by 10 in the second half, but were one more basket away from getting back into the win column. CSU moved to 5-12 on the year with a 1-6 conference record, while Winthrop also moved to 5-12, but boasts a 4-4 Big South mark.

Jamarco Warren electrified the crowd with some key baskets towards the end of the game, to finish with 19 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds. Giedrius Knysas scored in double figures for the 6th time in 7 games with 14 points on 7-13 shooting. Omar Carter came off the bench to chip in with 10 points, 7 boards, and 4 assists. The Eagles were led by Mantoris Robinson, who had a near perfect night with 16 points on 7-7 shooting, to go along with 7 rebounds.

A Warren steal and Kelvin Martin layup put CSU on the board in their first possession of the game. Carter's three put the Bucs up by three with a 7-4 score at the 15:28 mark. CSU was up for the majority of the first half and led by as many as 7 with 9:45 left in the half and a 14-7 score. Winthrop came back with 9 unanswered points to take the lead for the first time at the 7:07 mark.

The Bucs traded baskets for a couple possessions, but the Eagles ended the half on a 21-9 run. Austin Johnson tried to swing the momentum heading into the locker room with a three point play and 22 seconds on the clock. Winthrop however, responded with a three at the buzzer to take a 37-25 advantage.

CSU turned the tables in the second half, putting on an offensive showcase at times, with a 50 percent effort from the floor. The Bucs came out of the gate with a 9-2 run, cutting it to a 36-39 deficit with 16:37 left to play. The Eagles clung to a three point lead until a Martin layup put CSU back on top, 47-45.

4 ties and 10 lead changes would follow from that point, including a 60-59 Buccaneer advantage after a Warren jumper, with 1:23 remaining in the game. The next possession, Winthrop's Robinson put an exclamation on his perfect night, with the go ahead basket and 48 second on the clock. CSU had a couple good looks in the end, but couldn't convert and were forced to send the Eagles to the line. Some key foul shots extended Winthrop's lead to 5 before an eventual 63-65 loss for the Bucs.

Warren led the way with 14 second half points and as a team, CSU out rebounded the Eagles by 9 in the final 20 minutes. The Bucs finished with 18 assists on 25 field goals for a 44 percent shooting effort from the floor.

CSU will stay at home to host Gardner-Webb on Saturday, January 24th, for a 7:30 tip-off.