HAMPTON, Va. - Charleston Southern nearly overcame a large first-half deficit as the Buccaneers fell on the road in Big South play to Hampton University on Saturday afternoon, 66-57.

The Buccaneers (4-23, 2-16 Big South) trailed 28-6 with 3:13 remaining in the first quarter as Hampton utilized a 28-4 run on their way to building a 22-point lead. The Pirates (17-10, 13-5) connected on 11 of their first 12 shots in the game on their way to building the early advantage.

CSU's defense took over late in the first quarter as the Bucs held the Pirates scoreless for a little over five minutes in mounting the first half comeback. Kelsie Ruff put together 12 first-half points in leading the comeback as the Bucs closed out the half on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit down to 39-32 at the break.

The Bucs narrowed the gap all the way down to four points following the Godfrey jumper at the 4:58 mark in the third quarter as CSU cut the lead down to 45-41. The Pirates took over from the free throw line over the next three minutes as Hampton converted eight consecutive shots in rebuilding their double-digit advantage.

CSU was unable to bring the game back within single digits until late in the fourth quarter as the Pirates completed the season sweep over the Bucs with the win.

Three Bucs scored in double-figures on Saturday afternoon led by Kelsie Ruff's 15 points. Carmella Walker added 13 points and six rebounds, while Sharita Godfrey chipped in 12 points and nine boards in the loss. Tierra Steede added six points, nine rebounds, and three blocked shots.

Laren VanArsdale and MaKayla Timmons scored 14 points apiece to lead the Hampton offensive attack in the game. Nylah Young (13 points, 10 rebounds) and Ashley Bates (10 points, six assists) also scored double-digits for the Pirates.

Inside the Statistics

• Charleston Southern shot 39.1% (18-of-46) from the floor, 31.3% (5-of-16) from behind the three-point line, and 80.0% (16-of-20) from the free throw line in the loss.
• Hampton shot 32.8% (20-of-61) from the floor, 44.4% (8-of-18) from the three-point line, and 75.0% (18-of-24) from the free throw line in the win.
• The Pirates took advantage of 26 CSU turnovers in scoring 26 points in the contest.
• CSU held the 23-15 edge in bench scoring in the game.
• Hampton led the points in the paint battle, 24-12.
• Hampton held the 10-2 fast-break point edge.
• CSU recorded the 9-8 advantage in second-chance points.

News & Notes

• Kelsie Ruff's 15 points marked her eighth double-digit scoring effort of the season and first since scoring 10 points against USC Upstate on February 11.
• Carmella Walker's 13-point game marked her 12th double-digit scoring game of the season and first since she scored 12 points against Campbell back on January 21.
• Sharita Godfrey's 12-point game was her 12th double-digit scoring game of the season and first since scoring 14 points against USC Upstate on February 11.
• CSU falls to 2-3 all-time against Hampton with the loss to the Pirates.

Up Next
Charleston Southern remains on the road on Wednesday, March 4, as the Buccaneers travel to the Millis Center and High Point University. Tipoff between the Bucs and the Panthers is set for 7 p.m.