CLINTON, S.C. –
Phlandrous Fleming Jr. will go down as one of the most decorated players in Charleston Southern men's basketball history. Monday night, Fleming added to that résumé.
Down 77-75 in overtime and a chance at the last shot, Fleming came through once again hitting the game-winning three point basket with just 0.6 seconds on the clock for a Buccaneer 78-77 win over Presbyterian in Big South men's basketball action.
Charleston Southern (3-18, 2-15 Big South) saw career nights from
Phlandrous Fleming Jr. (35 points) and
Ja'Quavian Florence (22 points) as it was just enough to power past a 31-point, 13-rebound performance from Rayshon Harrison of Presbyterian (7-14, 5-12 Big South).
The Bucs' offense came out hot as
Sadarius Bowser scored 11 of the first 22 points of the night before tying his career-high of 13 at the final horn. CSU would go on to hold a 43-30 lead at the break and led by as much as 17 in the first half, but the Blue Hose wouldn't go away easily.
Potential Big South Freshman of the Year candidate Rayshon Harrison did all he could scoring 31 points and grabbing 13 rebounds headlining four Blue Hose players in double figures. After both defenses held their ground in the final :90, the Bucs and Blue Hose needed overtime tied up at 69-69 setting up for a nice finish.
Even with momentum on the Blue Hose's side, the Buccaneer defense never let the deficit get larger than two in overtime leaving the door open for more Phlandrous Fleming heroics.
First Half
- Sadarius Bowser got the Buccaneer offense going early scoring 11 of the Bucs' first 22 points of the night
- Ja'Quavian Florence and Phlandrous Fleming Jr. took over from there as the Bucs led 43-30 at the break, their largest lead at the half in Big South play
- Fleming scored 17 points and grabbed 6 rebounds to pace the Bucs who shot 43% while holding Presbyterian to just 33% on the other end of the floor
- Charleston Southern's defense continued their stifling efforts from the Longwood series last week holding the Blue Hose to 33% from the floor and shutting down four Presbyterian's top-5 scorers
- The Bucs also led by as much as 17 with a 43-26 margin on Fleming's four-point play with just :49 left in the half
Second Half
- Rayshon Harrison, a potential Big South Freshman of the Year, put the Blue Hose offense on his back leading the charge back in the second half
- Harrison scored 14 points and Winston Hill added 11 points as the Blue Hose erased a 13-point halftime deficit
- Fleming scored 11 of his 35 points in the second half including a pair of late free throws
- Sadarius Bowser capped his career night of 15 points with the game-tying layup in the final two minutes of regulation
- Both teams had a chance to win the game in regulation but stiff defense down the stretch forced overtime tied at 69-69 from the Templeton Center
Overtime
- Just as it was during regulation, it was a Rayshon Harrison – Phlandrous Fleming Jr. showdown in the extra period
- Harrison scored six of the Blue Hose's eight points while Fleming scored seven of the Bucs' nine points
- Down 77-75 and with possession, Fleming hit his second-game-winning shot over the last 10 days with just 0.6 left on the clock
News and Notes
- Phlandrous Fleming Jr. secured his fifth-straight double-double and Big South-leading seventh scoring a career-high 35 points and grabbing 11 boards
- Ja'Quavian Florence's career-best 22 points marked his second 20-plus point performance as a Buccaneer in is rookie campaign
- Fleming and Florence's career performances gave the Bucs their first contest with a pair of 20-point scorers in 2020-21
- Monday was also the first time two Buccaneers had double-doubles in the same game.
- Fleming's game-winner was his second over the last 10 days capping a career night with 35 points besting a 34-point performance last season against Hampton – a game in which he scored his 1,000th career point.
Up Next
Charleston Southern returns home for a single game affair with USC Upstate to close the regular season Wednesday from Buccaneer Field House. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
Play of the Night
