FARMVILLE, Va. - Charleston Southern was unable to overcome a hot start from the host Lancers on Thursday night as the Buccaneers fell on the road in Big South play at Longwood University, 84-64.
 
The Lancers (7-6, 3-1 Big South) connected on five first-quarter three-pointers on their way to jumping out to a double-digit lead on their way to picking up their third Big South win of the season. The Bucs (2-11, 0-4 Big South) had three players score double-digits paced by Carmella Walker's 16-point effort in the conference defeat.
 
Walker's 16 points came on 4-of-9 shooting from the floor, while the junior guard showcased why she sits among the conference leaders from the free throw line with a perfect 7-of-7 performance from the stripe. Kelsie Ruff added 15 points, while Tori Gittens had 12 points behind her three three-pointer game to lead CSU's scorers.
 
Tra'dayja Smith paced the Lancers with a triple-double in the contest with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in the win. Anne-Hamilton Leroy added 21 points and five assists, while Kyla McMakin posted 14 points to finish in double figures.
 
Inside the Statistics

• Charleston Southern was 23-of-61 (37.7%) from the floor, 6-of-23 (26.1%) from the three-point line, and 12-of-15 (80.0%) from the free throw line in the loss.
• Longwood was 29-of-68 (42.6%) from the field, 10-of-23 (43.5%) from behind the arc, and 16-of-21 (76.2%) from the free throw line in the Big South win.
• Longwood held the 22-11 edge in scoring off turnovers and 23-16 advantage in points off the bench.
• CSU narrowly missed out on the points in the paint battle being outscored 32-30 inside the lane.
• Longwood held the 44-35 rebounding edge in the contest.
• The Lancers posted eight blocked shots led by Akila Smith's four.
• Tierra Steede narrowly missed out on her own double-double with eight points and eight rebounds.

News & Notes

• The Longwood win on Thursday snapped a 10-game CSU winning streak in the series dating back to February 28, 2015.
• The Bucs hold the 11-9 all-time series advantage over Longwood.
• Walker's 16-point game was her seventh double-digit scoring effort of the season and two points shy of her career-high set back against S.C. State.
• Ruff's 15 points highlighted her fifth double-digit scoring effort in 2019-20.
• Gittens' 12-point effort established a new career-high for the freshman and she tied her career-high with three three-pointers.
• CSU's seven steals in the game marked the 12th time CSU has hit the mark this year.

Up Next
Charleston Southern is back in action on Saturday afternoon as the Buccaneers welcome High Point University to the Buccaneer Field House for a mid-afternoon matchup. Tipoff between the Bucs and the Panthers is set for 3 p.m. on ESPN+.