CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston Southern men's basketball took Big South best Longwood to the final possession Saturday night before falling 69-67 in front of an electric Buc Dome environment.

JUST FALLING SHORT
Charleston Southern (4-18, 1-9 Big South) took a one-point lead with 1:39 to play in regulation after Tahlik Chavez converted two of two from the charity stripe. Longwood (17-5, 9-0 Big South) answered right back on their possession to follow via two free throws from DeShaun Wade. The Lancers would not give the lead back after that point, as Deontaye Buskey had a look from about four feet rim out with under 10 ticks left and Chavez had a look from three at the buzzer sent back. 

CAREER NIGHT CAROUSEL 
Tahlik Chavez took his turn at a career night for the Bucs, leading all scorers with 27 points, surpassing his previous career mark of 19 set earlier in the campaign. The junior guard used the second half for the bulk of his damage, collecting 16 points in the closing stanza to add to his 11 first half points.
 
Tonight's contest marks the fourth time this calendar year Chavez has set a new career-high in points after using a very successful stretch in January to break his previous best in three straight affairs. 

SECOND HALF STARS
The Bucs found themselves down 11 at the midway break, but used a very strong second half effort to sail their way back into it down the stretch. The effort included a 15-26 mark from the field in the half to finish with a 58% clip, compared to a 42% mark from the Lancers.

TEAM EFFORT
Charleston Southern again received a healthy effort from its bench in tonight's contest, as Kalib Clinton and Taje' Kelly stood out down the stretch. Clinton finished with 6 points, five rebounds, four assists and an emphatic slam in his return from injury as Kelly finished as the only other Buc in double-figures with 11 points and a poster of his own in transition. 

UP NEXT
The Bucs' next affair will take place back in the Buc Dome, as Charleston Southern welcomes Toccoa Falls in a contest that was originally scheduled for January. The non-conference affair is set for a 7:00 p.m. tip Monday, February 7.