The Basics
Score: Charleston Southern 45 – Mercer 71
Record: CSU (1-6) – MER (5-3)
Location: Buccaneer Fieldhouse
 
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Southern women's basketball team fell behind early and was unable to recover against a sharp-shooting Mercer squad on Friday afternoon, dropping a 71–45 decision inside the Buc Dome.
 
The Bears set the tone from the opening tip with a 22-point first quarter and held the lead wire-to-wire. The Buccaneers worked to cut into the deficit throughout the afternoon, finding offensive rhythm in the second half with 28 combined points in the final two quarters. CSU posted its best offensive stretch with 15 fourth-quarter points, but Mercer's early separation and balanced scoring effort proved too much to overcome.
 
Box Score Highlights
Charleston Southern Individuals:

• Asha Sra: 16 points
• Caelan Ellis: 14 points, 4 3FG

Georgia Southern Individuals:

• Arianna Bennett: 24 points, 10-14 FG
• Nahawa Diarra: 17 points, 4 rebounds 

Key Team Stats
Charleston Southern finished 15-of-63 (23.8%) from the field and 8-of-35 (22.9%) from three. Mercer shot 26-of-57 (46%) overall and 9-of-18 (50%) from beyond the arc. The Bears held a 47–36 rebounding advantage, producing 14 second-chance points while converting 18 points off CSU turnovers. CSU's strongest period came in the fourth, where the Bucs scored 15 points.
 
Turning Point
Mercer took control immediately with a 15–0 first-quarter run, highlighted by three made threes and eight early points from Diarra. CSU was unable to trim the margin below 20 in the second half as the Bears continued to answer each push with timely shooting and second-chance baskets.
 
Key Stats & Notes

• CSU scored 28 points in the second half, including a 15-point fourth quarter.
• Caelan Ellis led the Bucs with four made threes.
• Mercer scored 14 second-chance points off 13 offensive rebounds.

Up Next
Charleston Southern returns to action on Monday, December 1 against Allen at 6:00 p.m. inside the Buccaneer Fieldhouse.

For the latest information on CSU women's basketball, follow @CSUBucsWBB on X and Instagram or go to www.CSUSports.com.