CHARLESTON, S.C. – Facing an unbeaten rival and down to seven players, Charleston Southern gave itself a chance in the final seconds Tuesday of another heavyweight fight between longtime rivals.

Winthrop (9-0, 6-0 Big South) and Charleston Southern (1-7, 0-4 Big South) traded baskets and exchanged five leads in the contest before a three-point try came up just short giving the visiting Eagles a 78-76 win from Buccaneer Field House in an instant classic.

Phlandrous Fleming Jr. backed his Preseason Player of the Year prediction with 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists and four steals but had to sit the final moments after a fifth foul. CSU wouldn't go away though as freshman Emorie Knox hit two clutch three-point baskets to make it a 77-76 Eagle lead with just 56.3 to play.

A Charles Falden free throw with 12.1 to play set the stage for a chance to knock Winthrop from the ranks of the unbeaten, but a three-point attempt came up just short at the buzzer to give the visitors the sweep.

Fleming's 33 points were just one shy of tying a career-high while Emorie Knox had 13 just one day after a career-best 15 Monday. Sean Price tied a career-high with 16 for the Bucs while Falden's 17 paced Winthrop and Kelton Talford added 12 in the win.
 
How It Happened

• Charleston Southern jumped out to another fast start to lead 4-0 highlighted by a steal and slam dunk from Phlandrous Fleming Jr.
• Winthrop would answer and take their first lead behind a 7-0 run over the next 90 seconds
• The visiting Eagles would lead by as many as 10 in the first half but Fleming and the Bucs wouldn't go away closing the half on a 10-3 run
• Neither side led by more than 10 after Winthrop's 38-28 advantage as the two would trade the lead four times over the final 20 minutes
• Fleming scored 18 of his 33 points in the first half to keep the Bucs in striking distance of the heavyweight Eagles
• Fleming stayed hot in the second half finishing the game with 33 points in 33 minutes before fouling out with 4:14 to play and Winthrop holing a 70-65 lead
• Charleston Southern wouldn't go away quietly as freshmen Melvin Edwards Jr. and Emorie Knox hit four shots from downtown to bring it within 77-76 at 1:10 to go
• Winthrop's Charles Falden hit a free throw with 12.1 to play for his team-high 14th point setting the stage for a final Buccaneer chance
• After hitting two treys down the stretch, Knox was given the final chance but just missed the game-winner finishing with 13 points

News and Notes

• Tuesday's 78-76 decision was the fourth time over the last seven meetings the outcome was decided by two-or-fewer baskets
• Emorie Knox broke out to the tune of 14.0 points and 4.0 assists across the series hitting six shots from deep
• Phlandrous Fleming Jr's 33 points were a season high for any Buccaneer this season surpassing the 21 he and Melvin Edwards Jr. had versus Hampton
• Charleston Southern found their stride from deep against the Eagles knocking down 21 total and shooting above 40% both days

Inside the Box Score

• Phlandrous Fleming Jr. finished just one shy of his career high Tuesday with 33 points in 33 minutes of action
• Sean Price tied a career-high of 16 points while adding seven rebounds and two steals
• Emorie Knox followed Monday's career performance with 13 points including two huge three-point baskets that gave the Bucs a chance to win late
• CSU shot .475 from the floor and hit 10-plus treys in back-to-back games
• Neither team led by more than 10 in the contest and neither had a run larger than 8-0 while exchanging the lead five times
• Charleston Southern held Winthrop to their lowest point total since a season-opening 75-67 win over SoCon power UNCG

Up Next
Charleston Southern concludes an eight-game homestand that started on Dec. 1 as they welcome Radford to Buccaneer Field House for a pair Jan. 9 and 10 on ESPN+. Tipoff Saturday is slated for 5 p.m.