Charleston Southern University Athletics
16-11 (9-7BSC)
Coastal Caro.
13-12 (6-10BSC)
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLESTON SOUTHERN | 29 | 41 | 70 |
| Coastal Carolina | 33 | 22 | 55 |
Bucs Earn Season Sweep of Chants with 70-55 Win in Conway
2/25/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CHARLESTON, S.C. - This time, no last second shot was necessary as the Charleston Southern women's basketball team earned a 70-55 victory over instate rival Coastal Carolina at Kimbel Arena in Conway on Saturday afternoon.
The Bucs' win puts them at 16-11 overall and 9-7 in the Big South, moving them out of a tie with Campbell and in sole possession of fourth place. The Camels fell to third-ranked Winthrop on Saturday in overtime.
Rachelle Coward recorded her first double-double of the season, leading the team in rebounding with 14 boards and adding in 17 points. She also added in a block, an assist and a steal on the day as she was again a solid 6-for-8 at the free-throw line.
With 18 points, Lakeitha Alston led all players in scoring and tallied her 976 career point to bring her closer to bring her within 24 of her 1,000th. She also grabbed eight rebounds, playing all but one minute of action.
Anicia Dotson, Kiki Rutledge and Erin Bratcher each put up eight points, with Bratcher going 3-for-5 in her first game back from injury. Rutledge was perfect at the charity stripe, sinking 6-of-6 while dishing out a team-high three assists as well. Dotson was also solid at the line, making all four free-throw attempts.
The Buccaneers made seven 3-pointers on the night - a low number for them - and shot 37 percent from the field. They had a strong day at the free-throw line, going 23-of-29 for 79.3 percent and were able to outscore CCU in the paint 26-20. The Bucs also had the clear advantage on the glass, with 46 rebounds to Coastal's 30.
Angelica Henry and Olivia Irick each had 14 points for the Chanticleers (13-12, 6-10 BSC). Kira Carter notched 11 points, with Shalia Cole grabbing five steals. Henry led the rebounding effort with seven boards as the Buccaneers limited the Chants to just seven total offensive rebounds.
The Bucs worked their way back from an early 10-2 hole, fell just short of tying things up. The Chanticleers again found themselves up by seen on a free-throw from Irick with 10:27 to go in the first half. Paced by Alston's six points, the Bucs went on a 9-1 scoring spree to take their first lead of the day on a trey with 7:55 remaining in the first half.
An AJ Jordan layup with just under three to play in the first stanza gave a slim one-point advantage back to CCU and after trading free-throws, the Chanticleers would work their way out to a 33-27 lead. Rutledge hit the line as the half wound down to cut the deficit to just four points as Coastal took the 33-29 lead at the half.
CSU hit the free-throw line for six points in two and a half minute span midway through the second half, taking a 52-45 lead when Coward sunk the sixth. She hit a trey seconds later to push the lead into double digits and the Bucs never looked back. The Chanticleers were able to come within five at the free-throw line, but sent CSU to the charity stripe for eight points in the final three minutes of action. A late layup from Whitney Collins sealed the deal as the Bucs took the 70-55 win.
Charleston Southern will remain in the Palmetto State to finish
out the regular season. The Bucs will head to Winthrop on Friday
for a 7 p.m. match up in Rock Hill before continuing on to Clinton,
where they will face the Presbyterian Blue Hose on March 5.
