CHARLESTON, S.C - The Buccaneers of Charleston Southern lost to the Highlanders of Radford University in dramatic fashion at a score of 81-78. The loss drops the Bucs' record to 12-14 (6-7, BSC) and the win brings Radford's record to 12-14 (9-4, BSC).

Basketball is a game of runs and today's contest between the Bucs and Highlanders was no exception. The ebbs and flows of today's game made for an exciting contest between the two schools.

CSU started off the game with a quick 5-0 run, but RU would respond with a 12-0 run of their own. The Highlanders built a six-point lead only to see the Bucs go on a 11-0 run to take a seven point lead. Radford would respond yet again with a 9-0 run to narrow CSU's advantage to one point going in at half.

The Big South's leading scorer Tull was once again locked in from downtown. She had 16 of her 24 total points in the first half, going 6-of-14 from three-point range.

Both teams were shooting very well from the field in the first frame. Radford shot 54% from the field and Charleston Southern shot 50% including shooting 57% (8-of-14) from beyond the arc.

At half the Bucs held a slim advantage at a score of 38-37.

The game began to get scrappy in the first part of the second half, causing both teams to accrue fouls. Charleston Southern's post players were starting to rack up fouls. Both Lakeitha Alston and Danielle Gibson had four fouls with over 15 minutes to play, forcing the Buccaneers to go with a smaller lineup. Both players would subsequently foul out.

The score remained close throughout the remainder of the second half and a layup from senior center Lydia Johnson knotted up the score at 65 apiece with two minutes remaining.

The Bucs had possession and a chance to take the lead, but a timely steal and an and-one layup gave the Highlanders a three-point advantage with under a minute to play.

Wasmer would score on a drive to narrow the deficit to one with :27 to play. The Bucs would foul sending the Highlanders to the line shooting two, and in the process their leading scorer Tull would foul out of the contest. Radford would make one-of-two giving them a two-point advantage.

Wasmer would again drive to the basket and attempt a shot to no avail and no foul call. A technical foul was then given to the CSU bench sending Radford to the line shooting two, and giving them possession of the ball.

Radford would make one of two from the line and were given the ball out of bounds on the baseline with seven seconds to play. Charleston Southern's Helen Terry made a tremendous play by jumping in front of the pass and stole the ball, and in a frantic sequence Dotson found Wasmer wide open in the corner. Wasmer knocked down the three as time expired to send the game to OT sending the crowd into a frenzy.

The Buccaneers seemed to be in the driver's seat in the extra frame. They held a six-point lead with 1:56 left to play, but the Highlanders would proceed go on a 9-0 run to take control and the win in extra time.

Leading Charleston Southern was senior guard Katie Tull who had 24 points on 9-of-19 shooting from the field. Also having a nice outing was Kelsey Wasmer who had 21 points and 6 rebounds in the losing effort.

Leading the Highlanders was Da'Nar Erwin-Spencer. She had 20 points on 7-of- 13 shooting from the field.

Charleston Southern will continue their final home stand on Monday at 7 p.m. with their second of four home games to close out Big South regular season play. They will face the conference leading Flames of Liberty.