CLINTON, S.C. – Saah Nimley scored a career-high 30 points for the second straight game and Will Saunders hit two clutch three-pointers down the stretch as Charleston Southern held off Presbyterian, 73-65, at the Templeton Center on Saturday night.

CSU (10-7, 4-2 Big South) led by as many as 13 points in the second half, before Presbyterian (6-13, 2-4 Big South) rallied to within four with 3:16 remaining. Nimley hit a three on the Bucs next possession, though, to move the advantage to seven. Saunders added two treys in a span of 57 seconds, the second giving CSU a 67-57 lead with 1:04 left, to close out the Blue Hose.

CSU shot only 31 percent from the field and made 10-of-38 three-point tries, but came up with timely plays to pick up its third straight win. Cedrick Bowen grabbed two big offensive rebounds inside the final five minutes, both of which led to threes, to help CSU prevail. The Bucs enjoyed a 20-4 advantage in points off turnovers, and converted 23-of-30 free throw attempts, including 19-of-23 in the second half.

Nimley (1,510 points) moved into 6^th place on the Charleston Southern scoring list, passing former teammate Kelvin Martin. He also became the 34^th player in Big South history to eclipse 1,500 career points. PC was led by 29 points from Jordan Downing, and 18 from freshman DeSean Murray. CSU has now won its last seven meetings with PC.

CSU led 32-29 at halftime, and went on a 15-5 run over the opening 5:57 of the second half to forge a 47-34 lead. Nimley had a steal and three-point play on the ensuing fast break to highlight the spurt. He added three free throws, as did Saunders, as the Bucs held the Blue Hose to one field goal over the first six minutes of the stanza.

Downing led PC back into the game with 21 of his 29 points in the second half, hitting 8-of-11 from the floor and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. A three by Downing triggered a 9-2 Presbyterian run that made the score 53-48 at the 7:01 mark. Ed Drew threw down a dunk, and Downing connected on a jumper, to cap the flurry.

Nimley responded with one of his five triples on a night he also moved past Brett Larrick (1993-1997) for the second most threes in CSU history. It was the Bucs' fourth shot of the possession, as offensive rebounds by Reuben King and Bowen led to Nimley's bucket.

CSU would push the advantage to nine, only to see Downing tally five straight points to cut the deficit to 58-54. Threes by Nimley and Saunders from there, as well as free throws, allowed CSU to pick up its second road win of the year.

The action was back and forth at the outset, with three ties and seven lead changes. CSU took the lead for good, 24-22, on a Nimley three with 7:19 left in the period. Nimley's trey was the first of three in just over a minute and half. Arlon Harper connected on one from the right wing, and Nimley sailed one through from in front of the PC bench, to up CSU's advantage to 30-22.

CSU returns to the Buc Dome to start a three-game homestand against UNC Asheville on Monday. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.