CLEMSON, S.C. - Charleston Southern was unable to overcome a second half deficit despite an 18-7 run in the fourth period as the Buccaneers fell in their season opener at Clemson, 43-36.

Alyssa Mann scored seven of her team-high 11 points during the fourth quarter span to pace the Buccaneers (0-1) offense on the day, while Monique Maximilien added seven points and nine rebounds from the floor in their season debut at Jervey Gym.

"Clemson is a very good team," said CSU head coach Fred Applin. "We did some good things with our defense and got some good stops, but we just can't get out-rebounded on the boards like we did today. We also missed too many jumpers that we have been making."

Danielle Edwards led Clemson (1-0) with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Aliyah Collier added 11 rebounds before fouling out as both teams experienced the new NCAA women's basketball format for the first time in the 2015-16 season.

Breaking the game up into four periods of 10 minutes apiece, both teams struggled over the first two periods before finding their groove in the second half. The Tigers out-scored the Bucs 18-8 over the third period to take control of the contest, but the Bucs nearly brought the game back in the fourth period with their 18-7 run.

Mann started the stretch with a free throw at the 9:24 mark of the fourth period and Nayla Long followed with a jumper to help the Bucs cut the Tigers lead back to 15. Following back-to-back jumpers by Clemson's Edwards and Victoria Cardaci, CSU went on a 13-0 spanning the next seven minutes to bring the game back to within single digits.

Elyse Kiploks connected on a layup and Tianna Swearinger followed with a jumper at the 4:21 mark to put the score at 40-25 before Mann took over. The senior guard scored six straight points to put the score at 40-31 before Maximilien converted a layup to cut the Tigers lead down to 40-33 with 14 seconds remaining.

The Tigers held the Bucs off from the free throw line with Edwards converting three of four attempts in the final eight seconds before CSU's Shauntavia Dobson connected on a three-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin.

Clemson took the 18-10 halftime lead before Edwards scored eight points during the 18-8 third period to give Clemson the double-digit lead on their way to completing the win.

Charleston Southern returns to the Buc Dome on Monday night for their 2015-16 home opener against Paine College. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.