ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Charleston Southern's hot start faded into the second half, as they dropped an 80-71 contest on the road vs. the UNC Asheville Bulldogs Saturday, at the Justice Center. The Bucs led by as many as 12 in the first half, but the Bulldogs took a two point lead at halftime and never looked back. With the loss CSU dropped to 7-15 on the year and 2-9 in the Big South, while UNCA improved to 11-13 with a 7-6 mark in the conference.

Jamarco Warren came off the bench to lead all scorers with 20 points, including 3 threes on 6-14 shooting. Giedrius Knysas recorded a double-double for the second time this year with 11 points and a career high 13 rebounds. Tovi Bailey and Kelvin Martin also chipped in with 13 and 11 points, respectively. The Bulldogs put five players in double-figures, including Reid Augst who had 19 points and was a perfect 5-5 from behind the arc.

The Bucs started out hot on the road, jumping out to a 6-0 lead after two Knysas layups and a Johnson jumper. UNCA finally got on the board, but CSU responded with a 12-3 run to extend their lead to 12 with 13:19 left in the half. The Bulldogs took their turn for a run and nine unanswered points put the score at 18-15 with the Bucs still holding the lead.

CSU traded baskets for the next several minutes, but UNCA was able to crawl all the way back before the intermission. The score was tied at 26 apiece with 2:20 on the clock and the Bulldogs took their first lead of the game with 1:27 remaining in the half, before heading into the locker room with a 30-28 advantage.

UNCA wasted no time in the second half, extending their lead to 15 in the first five minutes. CSU managed a 6-0 run after two Warren free throws, but still couldn't slow down the hot second half shooting of the Bulldogs. The Bucs fell behind by as many as 17 with a 65-48 score and 8:37 left in the half.

CSU tried their best to even the season series but couldn't get the lead into single digits until 1:42 remaining in the game. A pair of free throws for Bailey put the score at 66-75, but it was too little too late as the clock was winding down for the Bucs. UNCA made their free throws down the stretch before a 71-80 final score and a loss for CSU.

The Bucs out-rebounded the Bulldogs 43-35; however UNCA shot 43 percent from the floor for the game, including 50 percent (11-22) from three point range.

No rest for the weary, as the Bucs will try to upset the top team in the conference when head to VMI on Monday, for a 7 p.m. contest.