The Basics
Score: Charleston Southern 45 – Gardner-Webb 52
Record: CSU (5-14), (3-3) – GWU (6-13), (3-2)
Location: Buccaneer Fieldhouse
 
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Southern women's basketball battled defensively but shot a season-low 15.6% from three as Gardner-Webb pulled away late for a 52-45 win Saturday afternoon at Buccaneer Fieldhouse.
 
Caelan Ellis led the Buccaneers with 14 points, while Tyonna Bailey added 13 points and nine rebounds. Despite holding Gardner-Webb to under 30 percent shooting for the game, Charleston Southern was unable to capitalize consistently on the defensive effort and fell to 5-14 overall and 3-3 in Big South play.
 
The opening quarter featured tight defense from both teams, with Gardner-Webb edging CSU 14-12 after one. The Bulldogs extended the margin in the second quarter, holding CSU to four points on 1-of-10 shooting to take a 23-16 lead into halftime.
 
Charleston Southern responded with its best offensive stretch of the game in the third quarter. The Buccaneers shot 53.3 percent from the field and outscored Gardner-Webb 20-16 to close the gap to 39-36 heading into the final period. Mya Dotson provided a spark during the run, scoring seven of her eight points during the period as CSU briefly cut the deficit to three.
 
Gardner-Webb regained control in the fourth, holding CSU to 3-of-16 shooting in the period. Despite multiple defensive stops, the Buccaneers were unable to convert enough opportunities as the Runnin' Bulldogs closed out the 52-45 result.
 
Box Score Highlights

Charleston Southern Individuals:

• Caelan Ellis: 14 points
• Tyonna Bailey: 13 points, 9 rebounds
• Asha Sra: 10 rebounds, 7 assists

Gardner-Webb Individuals:

• Amina Gray: 16 points
• Makayla Legette: 14 points
• Amira Ofunnilyin: 10 rebounds

Team Stats
Charleston Southern shot 16-for-56 (28.6%) from the field and 5-for-32 (15.6%) from three-point range, while converting 8-of-11 (72.7%) at the free-throw line. The Buccaneers finished with 12 assists and committed 21 turnovers. Gardner-Webb shot 19-for-64 (29.7%) overall and went 7-for-30 (23.3%) from beyond the arc. The Runnin' Bulldogs held advantages in points off turnovers (18-8) and fast-break points (10-3).

Turning Point
Gardner-Webb's defensive effort in the second quarter proved decisive, limiting Charleston Southern to four points in the period and building a halftime lead the Runnin' Bulldogs would not relinquish.
 
Key Stats & Notes

• Caelan Ellis led CSU in scoring with 14 point, her 15^th double-digit outing this season.
• Tyonna Bailey nearly recorded her third-straight double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds today.
• Asha Sra pulled down a game-high and career-high 10 rebounds, anchoring CSU on the glass.
• Mya Dotson scored a season-high eight points including seven in the third quarter.
• Charleston Southern outscored Gardner-Webb 20-16 in the third quarter.
• CSU shot just 15.6% from long distance, its lowest mark of the season. 

Up Next
Charleston Southern continues Big South play next Saturday (Jan. 24) as they head to Presbyterian for a 2:00 p.m. tipoff.

For the latest information on CSU women's basketball, follow @CSUBucsWBB on X and Instagram or go to www.CSUSports.com.