CONWAY, S.C. - The CSU men's basketball team staged a furious comeback to tie the game with just seven seconds remaining, but a last minute dunk led Coastal Carolina past the Buccaneers 73-71 on Saturday afternoon at Kimbel Arena in Conway, S.C., in the first Big South contest of the season.

The Bucs, who fall to 4-5 overall and 0-1 in the BSC, were led by Kelvin Martin's double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds as well as Jeremy Sexton's 14 points and team-leading three steals. Jamarco Warren also added in 11 points as the Bucs shot 41.7 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from downtown. They were able to out-rebound the Chanticleers 41-31 and also won the battle of the turnovers 13-14, with eight of CCU's miscues coming as steals by the Buccaneers.

Desmond Holloway also notched a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, and was assisted by Chad Gray's 18 points and Danny Nieman's 13. The Chanticleers shot 46.2 percent overall and fared slightly better than the Bucs from beyond the arc at 46.2 percent. Coastal was also successful in using size to their advantage, coming up with seven blocks.

The lead bounced back and forth for the first few minutes of the game, as the Chanticleers scored first. The Bucs quickly countered and took the lead on free-throws from Warren. The lead would change hands three more times in the first five minutes of the game.

A fast break layup brought CSU within one, but a 3-pointer from Holloway started a 7-2 scoring run that would lead to an eight point Coastal lead with just over 12 minutes to go in the first half. The Bucs were able to cut into the deficit, shrinking the lead to five points on a layup from Brooks. CCU had another 7-2 run to bring the lead into double digits, but it was quickly brought back down on a jumper by Martin. Gray and Chris Grier traded 3-pointers to keep Coastal's lead at eight points with the score at 39-31 to end the half.

The Buccaneers came out strong in the second half to cut the deficit to just three points in the first two minutes. A jumper and the ensuing free-throw by Holloway put the Chanticleers ahead by six once again soon after. CCU again took charge of the game as Holloway put up a layup and two free-throws to again put the Chanticleer's advantage in double-digits at 55-44.

Sexton sunk two from downtown, while Kenny Mitchell, who ended the day with nine points, added four from the charity stripe as the Bucs played catch up and brought themselves within seven. CCU also took a few trips to the line and was able to sink three for a 63-53 with just under nine minutes to go in the game.

Mitchell again played a key role in propelling the CSU comeback, putting up a lay up and a free-throw, but it was Martin whose free-throws brought the Bucs within two with just under a minute to go. CCU attempted to make it a two possession game, but was called for a travel to give the ball back to the Buccaneers with 33.6 seconds to go. Warren was able to put up the layup to tie it at 71-71, but CCU took the ball down and put up on final bucket to end the Bucs' comeback and take the 73-71 win.

The Buccaneers will return to Charleston to host Milligan in a non-conference match up on December 11. The game is set for 4:30 p.m. at the Buc Dome and is the second half of a double header that also features the Lady Bucs hosting Pfeiffer at 2 p.m.