CHARLESTON – As Big South Conference play enters its final two weeks of the regular season, CSU prepares for a week of two home contests: Gardner-Webb on Tuesday, February 17th at 6:00 PM, and Longwood on Saturday, February 21st at 4:00 PM.

A brief preview of all three opponents can be found below:

Game #28

Opponent: vs Gardner-Webb

Date: February 17th

Time: 6:00 PM

TV: ESPN+

• On December 31st, CSU faced the Runnin' Bulldogs in Boiling Springs. After trailing by 17 the first-half, the Bucs came back to win the contest, 89-79. A'lahn Sumler would lead the Bucs with 29 points in his first Big South competition since March of 2024. Luke Williams (16), Brycen Blaine (15), and Jesse Hafemeister (10) would all score in double-figures in their Big South debuts.

• GWU features a trio of double-figure scorers in league play: Jacob Hogarth (11.6), Colin Hawkins (11.3), and Spence Sims (10.5). All three Runnin' Bulldogs scored above their averages against CSU back on New Year's Eve. In addition to NaVuan Peterson's 17, Hogarth got 15, Hawkins a point behind with 14, and the true freshman Sims with 12.

• Spence Sims, currently a primary candidate for the Big South's Freshman of the Year, was recently joined by Charleston Southern's Jacob Taylor as the only two players in the conference with three or more FOTW honors under their belt. Taylor has earned the award the past two consecutive weeks, drawing more eyes to that potential match-up Tuesday night.

• The head coach of GWU is Jeremy Luther. Luther has been on the sideline in Boiling Springs since 2013. He was promoted to the Head Coach role in March 2024, and has posted a 14-44 overall record since the elevation.

• Gardner-Webb leads the all-time series between the two programs, 27-10, although the Bucs have won the previous three contests.

Game #29

Opponent: vs Longwood

Date: February 21st

Time: 4:00 PM

TV: ESPN+

• On January 23rd, CSU faced the Lancers in Farmville, losing to Longwood 79-81 in overtime. A'lahn Sumler and Brycen Blaine would combine for 50 of CSU's 79 points, as well as 10 assists and 9 boards.

• On the Longwood side of the matchup, the frontcourt duo of Elijah Tucker (21) and Johan Nziemi (17) would lead the Lancers in scoring. 

• Longwood is coached by one of the youngest head coaches in Division 1 basketball, Ronnie Thomas. Thomas initially joined the Lancer staff in 2020, and was promoted to the Head Coach position in March of 2025. In his first season as the primary leader, the Lancers hold an even 14-14 record.

• Longwood leads the all-time series between the two programs, 14-9.

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