CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston Southern opened their Big South portion of the schedule on Wednesday night inside the Buc Dome taking on Presbyterian. The Blue Hose were able to come away with the victory with the final score of 68-61.
 
The Buccaneers built an early lead in the game and were able to hold it for the first ten minutes of the first half. However, the offense started to slow down as the Blue Hose were able to carry a ten-point lead into the halftime break, ahead 35-25. The team was able to hold Presbyterian to a 41.9% clip from the floor going 13-31 total, while the Bucs were at 40% at 10-25.
 
Charleston Southern were able to keep the game close in the second half as they were able to bring it back within single digits for most of the final 10 minutes of the contest. The Bucs were able to consistently draw contact and fouls and went 15-16 at the free throw line in the second, 18-20 total. As the Buccaneers keep drawing closer, Presbyterian continued to find answers to keep their lead above two scores and seal the victory.
 
RJ Johnson led the team as he went a perfect 11-11 at the stripe, converting on his 21^st consecutive shot there. He finished with 15 points on the night. Taje' Kelly led the team in scoring with 20 as he went 8-14 from the floor including a make from downtown. This marked his third time this season scoring 20 or more in a game.
 
Kelly and Reginald Duhart Jr. each finished the night with seven boards. These two combined for five blocks as well, Duhart finished with three while Kelly had two.
 
The Buccaneers continued to heavily rely on a few players to play heavy minutes during the contest. Kelly, Duhart and DJ Patrick each were around 38 minutes players, barely leaving the floor.
 
Charleston Southern will look to bounce back this weekend as they will make the long trip up to Farmville, Virginia to take on Longwood. The Lancers dropped their opening Big South game as well tonight, falling 68-60 at Winthrop in overtime.