CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston Southern closed out their 2023 home schedule on Thursday afternoon with a 103-79 win over Kentucky Christian. The Bucs had a balanced offensive attack on the day as three players finished with 19 points or more.
 
The Buccaneers scored the first bucket of the day in the first minute and never trailed for the rest of the afternoon. Charleston Southern first got the lead up to double digits within eight minutes. The visiting Knight were never able to bring it back within single digits for the rest of the game.
 
At halftime the score stood at 55-37 with RJ Johnson scoring 21 in the opening frame. Johnson tallied 11 within a two-minute span late in the half, including back-to-back-to-back triples. In the second half, Kentucky Christian continued to fight, but the Bucs' strength continued to show as they cruised to the victory to head into the Christmas break.
 
Johnson and Patrick were the game's leaders in scoring as they each had 21. Taje' Kelly also had a superb game as he finished with another double-double, collecting 19 points to go along with 12 rebounds. Kelly also flashed his ability to dish from down low, leading the team in assists with four.
 
With the victory, Interim Head Coach Saah Nimley records his second career victory with his record standing at 2-3 since being elevated to that role in late November.
 
Charleston Southern will be back in action for the nonconference finale on the road at #11 North Carolina. The game will tipoff at 8:00 p.m. from Chapel Hill, N.C. and be available live on the ACC Network.