RADFORD, Va. - Charleston Southern rallied from a nine point deficit in the second half to send the game to overtime, but failed to put any points on the board in the extra period, falling 61-58 vs. the Radford Highlanders Thursday, at the Dedmon Center. Kenny Mitchell scored a career high 19 points for the Bucs, before fouling out in the first minute of overtime. CSU dropped to 11-13 on the year and 6-8 in the conference, while Radford improved to 14-10 with a 10-4 mark in the Big South.

Mitchell shot 9-11 from the field for a team high 19 points, to go along with six rebounds, carrying the offensive load for the Bucs. Jamarco Warren was the only other CSU player in double figures, tallying 13 points, including a layup that sent the game into overtime. Kelvin Martin also chipped in with eight points and 11 boards. Radford was paced by Joey Lynch-Flohr, who led all scorers with 24 points on 10-16 shooting.

The game opened up with four lead changes, as Blake Smith hit a three to put Radford on top 8-4 in the first five minutes. Both teams struggled to find the basket in the first half, but CSU rattled off seven unanswered to take a 13-10 lead at the 12:30 mark. The Highlanders responded with a 7-2 run of their own however, to take a 17-15 advantage.

The Bucs bounced back with a 9-0 run this time, taking their biggest lead of the game with a 24-17 score and 5:14 on the clock. The runs continued to pour in, as Radford took their turn to go up 25-24 after eight consecutive points. CSU was held scoreless for nearly five minutes, but Patrick Shaughnessy had a rebound and tip in to put the Bucs up 26-25 at the intermission.

A Mitchell layup and Warren three started the second half, giving CSU a 31-25 advantage, one minute into the period. The Highlanders changed the game from there, exploding for a 17-2 run, with seven points from Lynch-Flohr in the process.

The Bucs chipped away at the lead over the next few minutes, using a three from Warren to make it a 46-43 deficit at the 8:54 mark. Jeremy Sexton hit another three for CSU with 4:51 on the clock, to make it a one point game.

Radford looked to have the game under control late in the second half, taking a 6-0 burst to go up 55-48 with 2:20 remaining in regulation. The Bucs scored on three straight possessions however, capping off a 6-0 run with a Mitchell jumper, bringing the score to 55-54 with 1:00 on the clock.

After trading baskets, a missed free throw from the Highlanders gave CSU a shot to send the game to overtime. Warren drove the length of the court and twisted his way for a layup with just three seconds left. A full court Radford shot fell short, sending the game into overtime.

Both teams didn't have much left in the tank in the extra period, with a combined three points being scored, all within the first minute. A Lynch-Flohr jumper and Phillip Martin free throw proved to be the difference, putting the Highlanders on top 61-58, with 4:04 remaining in the game. Five missed free throws from Radford in overtime allowed for the Bucs to stay within reach, but they weren't able to capitalize. Sexton had a look from three with two seconds left to play, but couldn't convert, ending the game with a 61-58 final score.

CSU will stay on the road, traveling to face off with the High Point Panthers on Saturday, January 13, at 6 p.m. The game will be televised on MASN and also broadcast on local cable channel 13 in Charleston.