NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern hosted ACC opponent Virginia Tech on Monday, and gave the Hokies all they could handle before eventually dropping a 75-66 decision at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Buccaneers showed considerable improvement over the past three games, going up against two ACC members and one Big East team in that stretch. Jamarco Warren continued to show why he is the Big South's leading scorer, as he led all players with 22 points, including 6 threes and 7 assists. CSU dropped to 5-6 with the loss and still holds a 1-0 record in the Big South, while Virginia Tech improved to 9-4.

Warren was not the only Buccaneer to rise to the occasion, as Omar Carter recorded 13 points and 8 rebounds. Tovi Bailey was again asked to handle the majority of the ball handling and responded with 6 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Giedrius Knysas easily played his best game of the season, coming off the bench to score 15 points on 6-8 shooting. The Hokies were led by Malcolm Delaney, who had 16 points and 6 assists. The ACC's leading scorer, A.D. Vassallo, also had 16 points and 5 assists.

CSU showed no signs of intimidation from the start of the game with a Kelvin Martin layup in the first possession. The Hokies responded with seven straight points to take a 7-2 lead with 17:46 on the clock. The Bucs kept their composure and put up a 9-0 run of their own, to take the lead back after a Warren three. CSU controlled the lead for more than nine minutes after that point and led by as many as eight with a 23-15 score.

There were 3 ties and 5 lead changes in the first half, one of which came after a pair of Knysas free throws, to put CSU up 27-25 with 5:31 left in the first stanza. Virginia Tech ended the half with a 12-1 run to take a 37-28 advantage heading into the locker room.

The Bucs were knocking at the door of the Hokies in the second half, but couldn't manage to get over the hump, even after shooting over 48 percent in the final period.

It didn't take long for CSU to trim their deficit to just one, after two Warren threes and an 8-0 run to put the score at 43-42 with 15:38 left in the game. Virginia Tech clung to a slight advantage, but CSU found themselves down just two several times.

A Carter three made it a one point game for the second time in the half with 9:55 on the clock. The Hokies never could pull away and the Buc's best chance for the upset came after a Knysas three point play and a 67-63 deficit with 2:14 on the clock.

CSU couldn't convert on some late threes and clutch foul shooting from Delaney stretched the lead out and ended the game with a 75-66 score.

Despite the loss, it is hard to not be impressed with the effort from CSU on the night. Head Coach Barclay Radebaugh was dissapionted with the final result, but focused on the positives following the game.

"We had four goals for the game tonight," said Radebaugh. "We wanted to give ourselves a chance to win, represent Charleston Southern University well, show considerable improvement, and win the game. We accomplished three of those four goals and I am excited about what our team has done."

For the game, the Bucs shot better than 42 percent from the field and 47 percent from behind the arc. CSU also out rebounded the Hokies and showed the physical play that they are capable of.

CSU will head back to campus to host UNC Asheville in the new year on Saturday, January 3rd, for a 7:30 contest.