CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern went up against a team playing some of their best basketball in the Radford Highlanders, as they lost a 80-71 contest vs. the top ranked Big South team Monday, at the CSU Field House. The Bucs had their matchup problems down low for the night, allowing the Highlanders to shoot 50 percent for the game and get to the charity stripe on 33 occasions. CSU dropped to 7-18 on the year with a 2-12 mark in the Big South while Radford improved to16-10 and 13-2 in the conference.

Omar Carter continued his outstanding play with his third consecutive double-double, notching 18 points and 12 rebounds. Despite some foul trouble, Giedrius Knysas recorded 14 points and 5 boards. Jamarco Warren came on late with a number of clutch threes, to finish with 16 points. The Bucs didn't have much of an answer for Artsiom Parakhouski of the Highlanders, who had 29 points on 9-11 shooting to go along with 8 rebounds.

Giedrius Knysas got going early and often with the first two baskets of the night, to give CSU an early 4-0 advantage. Radford then rattled off seven straight before Warren hit a three to bring up the games first tie. The score was tied again at nine before the Highlanders had a 13-4 run to take a 22-13 lead with 11:35 on the clock

An athletic move from Tovi Bailey helped the Bucs cut the lead to 7. A 5-0 run for the Bucs capped off by an Austin Johnson three brought it down to a 25-29 deficit with 4:36 in the half. Radford however used another 13-4 surge to head into the locker room with a 42-29 advantage.

Knysas had a tough matchup with Parakhouski, but worked his way to 10 points on 5-8 shooting in the first 20 minutes. Carter also had 4 points and 5 rebounds for CSU.

Carter came out of the intermission on fire, scoring the first 9 points of the half for the Bucs. His scoring burst helped CSU to a 9-3 run and a 38-45 score. The Highlanders took back a 14 point lead at the 13:56 mark, after a 9-2 run of their own.

The Bucs traded baskets for several minutes, but Radford managed to keep their lead near double-digits. CSU made their bid for the upset late in the game with 13-5 run, thanks to a three from Warren. That basket made it a six point game with a 66-72 score with 2:15 remaining in the game.

The Bucs were unable to get the big stop down the stretch even after the late threes. An offensive rebound by the Highlanders aloud them to run down the clock for the final minute before a final 71-80 score.

CSU will play their last of three straight home games on Saturday, against the Presbyterian Blue Hose in a 7:30 p.m. contest.