CHARLESTON, S.C. – The final home game of the year occurred Saturday afternoon as Charleston Southern would host the USC Upstate Spartans.

The Spartans who have not shot over 57% against a Division 1 opponent all year, coveted 64.3% of their shots in half number one. Led by the pair of Karmani Gregory and Mister Dean, who each had 16 points a piece in the contest), the Spartans would score 42 points heading into the halftime locker room. 

A 22-point deficit for the Bucs was not the ideal predicament they thought they'd find themselves in halfway through their last game at home for the year. A valiant second-half fight would bring what was once a 23-point Spartan lead to 8.

CSU would out-rebound and have more assists than Upstate, but 17 Buccaneer turnovers would not help their case to secure the win.

Leading the Bucs on the stat sheet would be none other than four-year CSU basketball star, Taje' Kelly. Kelly posted a strong 23-point, 13-rebound double-double. Graduate transfer, Lamar Oden Jr. knocked down five three-pointers and finished 16 points. Reis Jones nearly secured the double-double performance as the big man played 24 minutes and recorded 10 points and 8 rebounds. True freshman Keenan Wilkins knocked down two three-point attempts during his 22 minutes of play as he added 8 points to the CSU effort as well.

Saturday served as Charleston Southern's senior day as all their seniors and graduate transfers were honored. The honorees were Jaylon Gibson, Lamar Oden Jr., DJ Patrick, and Taje' Kelly.

The final game for the Bucs this regular season will be next Saturday in Virginia, as they take on the Radford Highlanders at 2 PM.

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