RADFORD, VA. – Charleston Southern was able to use a strong defensive second half to power a come-from-behind victory at Radford on Wednesday night. Quentin Bolton Jr led the team in scoring as he finished with a career-high of 19 in the team's 63-60 victory in Virginia. Additionally, this marked the Buccaneers' first win over Radford since the 2018-2019 series, snapping an eight game losing streak to them.
The two teams traded baskets early in the contest, but the Highlanders were able to surge ahead with a 10-point scoring run to put them ahead at 18-8. The hosts remained in control for the rest of the half with them ahead 37-27 going into the break.
The Buccaneers clamped down on defense more in the second half, only allowing Radford to score 11 points over the first ten minutes and in turn were able to cut into their deficit. At the 9:50 mark,
Taje' Kelly scored on a layup to tie the ballgame 48 apiece.
The defense continued to stifle the Highlanders for the rest of the half. The Bucs'
RJ Johnson and Quentin Bolton Jr scored on back-to-back possessions and put the team ahead for the first time since the opening minutes at 54-52. Radford scored to tie it back up, but Charleston Southern went on to score the next seven points with the game-winner coming off a three in the corner by Bolton with 47 seconds remaining.
Down the stretch, Radford continued to fight, and the Bucs were unable to make the front end of a pair of one-and-one trips at the free throw line. Radford had a chance to tie it up in the final seconds with Kenyon Giles getting the ball off a tip from a pass that went the length of the floor, but his shot hit iron and the clock expired.
The Buccaneers had three players finish in double figures while all eight players scored in the contest. Bolten led the team with 19 while Kelly had 14 and
A'lahn Sumler had 12. Bolten finished 8-10 from the floor and 3-4 from deep.
RJ Johnson and
Reginald Duhart Jr. each had six as well.
Duhart led the team in rebounding with nine and Kelly finished with eight to help CSU outrebound Radford 36-34. Charleston Southern created a 17-8 margin in points of turnovers as well as a 40-22 edge in points in the paint. The Buccaneers also outshot the Highlanders as CSU was 25-54 (46.3%) while the hosts were 22-59 (37.3%). The Highlanders found their stroke from deep at 9-22 (40.9%).
Charleston Southern will be back in action on Saturday to host Longwood (2-5). The tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. inside the Buc Dome. Earlier this season, Longwood defeated the Buccaneers 77-56 in Farmville.
