WBB Preview | Bucs make first road trip of 2020-21 season as they head to Florida Wednesday

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern is looking to build off a strong start to the 2020-21 season as the Buccaneers continue nonconference play on Wednesday, December 2, with a road trip to the University of Florida. Tipoff between the Bucs and the Gators is set for 5 p.m. on SEC Network+ inside the O'Connell Center.

Game Information

Charleston Southern (1-0) at Florida (1-0)
5 p.m. * Gainesville, Fla. * Exatech Arena at Stephen O'Connell Center
Game Notes | Live Stats | Audio | SEC Network+

Series History
Florida leads 4-0 having won each of the four contests dating back to the inaugural matchup in 1988. CSU hosted the inaugural matchup against the Gators back in 1988, while traveling to Gainesville in each of the last three contests.

Dec. 30, 2018 – Florida won 70-60
Nov. 25, 2014 – Florida won 92-64
Dec. 20, 2011 – Florida won 83-59
Jan. 25, 1988 – Florida won 85-77

The Gators have won both of the contests in the Applin coaching era, including the 2018 70-60 contest. CSU alum Ke'Asia Jackson scored a game-high 20 points in the contest, while Brennah Bretches chipped in 10 points in the loss. The matchup was close throughout the game, but ultimately the Gators were able to pull away with the win from the free throw line as UF attempted 20 free throws over the final quarter.

Bucs top Columbia International, 79-52
Charleston Southern moved to 1-0 to open the 2020-21 season as the Bucs took the opening win for the second time in the last three seasons. The Bucs utilized double-digit scoring performances from Sha'Mya Leigh (17) and Alyssia Faye (15), while all 10 CSU players who dressed out were in the scoring column in the win.

The Bucs shot 41.4% (30-of-73) from the floor in the contest and 76.2% (16-of-21) from the free throw line in the win. CSU added 28 points off 25 CIU turnovers and held the 42-22 advantage on points in the paint. The Bucs also took advantage of the CIU second-half full-court press on their way to holding the 23-6 scoring edge in fast-break points.

Gators top Grambling State in opener, 90-47
Florida topped Grambling State in their 2020-21 season opener as the Gators pulled away from the Tigers with a balanced offensive attack in the opener. All 10 players appearing in the game scored, while six players finished with eight or more points in the win.

Redshirt senior guard Kiki Smith was terrific, pacing the Gators with 20 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Preseason All-SEC selection Lavender Briggs, scoring in double figures for the 27^th time in her career, came through for 13 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. Smith scored the game's first basket, a left-handed floater that would set the tone for the rest of the game. Florida would never trail in the game and held the lead for 39:44.

Bucs against the SEC
Charleston Southern has not picked up a win against the Southeastern Conference in program history as the Buccaneers currently sit 0-21 all-time against the SEC dating back to their first matchup against the Gators in 1987-88. Overall, CSU has lined up the most against South Carolina with the Bucs falling to the Gamecocks in each of their seven matchups.

The Gators have been the primary matchup for the Bucs over their last five games against the SEC. Florida (three times), Georgia, and South Carolina have taken on the Bucs in the past decade with CSU falling in each of the five contests during the span.

Last Five Games against the SEC

Dec. 30, 2018 – at Florida (L, 70-60)
Dec. 2, 2018 – at Georgia (L, 83-75)
Nov. 25, 2015 – at Florida (L, 92-64)
Nov. 8, 2013 – at South Carolina (L, 99-29)
Dec. 20, 2011 – at Florida (L, 83-59)

About the Bucs
Charleston Southern trotted out their first starting five of the 2020-21 season against Columbia International with Sha'Mya Leigh, Alyssia Faye, Carmella Walker, Sharita Godfrey, and Janaia Fargo each drawing the start. For Faye and Fargo, it marked the first starts at CSU, while Fargo's marked the first start of her collegiate career.
Leigh paced the Bucs with a team-high 17 points in the opener against the Rams, while Faye added 15 points and eight rebounds. Sharita Godfrey chipped in a team-high nine rebounds, while Niya Goudelock posted five assists in the win.
CSU's Leaders (per game)

Points – Sha'Mya Leigh (17.0)
Rebounds – Sharita Godfrey (9.0)
Assists – Niya Goudelock (5.0)
Steals – Sha'Mya Leigh (3.0)
Blocks – Four Players (1.0)
Three-Pointers – Three players (1.0)

About the Gators
The Gators will take on Florida State on Tuesday afternoon prior to their Wednesday contest against the Buccaneers. UF came out the gate swinging against Grambling State with a 50.0% (29-of-58) field goal percentage and a 42.9% (9-of-21) three-point mark in the opener on their way to scoring 90 points. UF also added 50 rebounds, 15 assists, nine steals, and four blocked shots in the win.

UF's Leaders (per game)

Points – Kiara Smith (20.0)
Rebounds – Lavender Briggs (12.0)
Assists – Lavender Briggs (5.0)
Steals – Kiara Smith (4.0)
Blocks – Four Players (1.0)
Three-Pointers – Danielle Rainey (3.0)

Upcoming Schedule
The Bucs continue the 2020-21 season with four of the next five games on the road, including the start of Big South Conference play on December 21-22 at Hampton. CSU continues nonconference action with trips to Florida and Davidson, while hosting Western Carolina. The Bucs competition against Florida A&M, scheduled for December 16, was canceled as the Rattlers called off their season due to COVID-19 concerns.