CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern dropped their first home game of the year, putting an end to a three game conference win streak, in a 64-56 loss vs. the league leading Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Saturday, at the CSU Field House. The Bucs struggled on the offensive end, shooting just 38% from the field and 23% from behind the arc, while committing 16 turnovers. CSU dropped to 10-9 on the year and 5-4 in the conference, to move into a five place tie in the Big South. CCU improved to 18-3 on the year with an 8-1 mark in league play.

The Bucs were led by Kelvin Martin, who posted a double-double with 15 points on 7-14 shooting, to go along with 14 rebounds. Jeremy Sexton reached double figures with 11 points, including three threes, while Tom Tankelewicz also posted 11 points off the bench. Jamarco Warren struggled to find the bottom of the net, scoring just three points on 1-14 shooting. Joseph Harris had a game high 22 points for the Chanticleers, to go along with eight boards.

Both teams put points on the board early on, with CSU taking an 8-4 advantage on a Sexton three. CCU managed a 10-2 run over the next three minutes, to go up 14-10 with 14:42 on the clock. There were four ties and five lead changes in the first half, as CSU took back the lead 19-18, thanks to a Tankelewicz three.

A three minute stretch with no scoring followed, as both teams struggled with turnovers. The Bucs traded the lead once more, before clinging to a 26-25 advantage at the 1:24 mark. After a Harris layup, Mario Edwards threw up a half court buzzer beater that gave the Chanticleers a 30-26 lead at the intermission.

It was the second consecutive game that CSU gave up a half court buzzer beater. The Bucs also committed 11 turnovers in the first half, with just three assists as a team.

Harris scored the first six points for CCU to start the second half, helping the Chanticleers to a 36-29 advantage. CSU managed a three point play from Kenny Mitchell to cut the gap to four, but CCU would go on to lead by as many as eight. After trailing 42-34, the Bucs rattled off six unanswered points, capped off by a Patrick Shaughnessy dunk at the 10:55 mark.

The Chanticleers held a slight advantage for the next several minutes, but a Martin rebound and put-back gave CSU their first lead of the second half. The 47-46 lead came with 6:56 on the clock, followed by Warren's lone three of the night, to put the Bucs on top 52-50. CSU couldn't create any distance from there however, as the Chanticleers took their turn for a 6-0 run.

It was a two point deficit for the Bucs with 2:48 remaining in the game, but six more unanswered for CCU put the game out of reach, with CSU trailing 62-54. The Bucs managed a layup from Martin in the final minute, but the Chanticleers held on for a final 64-56 win.

CSU will be back on the road next week, starting with a game at Winthrop on Thursday, January 28, at 7 p.m. CCU will also be on the road, playing at Presbyterian on Thursday, at 7 p.m.