BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Charleston Southern sprinted past Gardner-Webb on Wednesday night on the road, winning by a final score of 86-74.
RJ Johnson powered the Bucs to the win, scoring 31 on the night, being the first time a CSU player has eclipsed 30 since the 20202-2021 season.
The Buccaneers were able to snap a seven-game skid against the Runnin' Bulldogs with the victory as well as earn their first Big South win of the season. This also marked the first road victory of the season for the team.
At the start of the game, Charleston Southern continued to find their way to the free throw line and were able to use that to power back into the game. They earned a spot at the line on three consecutive possessions around the 12-minute mark and used that to power nine unanswered to flip a 13-9 deficit into an 18-13 lead. The Buccaneers never surrendered the lead for the rest of the game.
In the opening twenty minutes,
RJ Johnson was the one to power them to a 39-30 lead going into the break. Johnson finished the half with 16 points off a perfect 4-4 from behind the arc. In total, they went 6-12 from deep and a solid 11-15 from the charity stripe.
In the second, Johnson converted on an add-one just ten seconds into the frame to give the team their first double-digit lead of the night. The lead was pushed to 20 for the first time with 9:36 left to play after another three-point make by Johnson.
Gardner-Webb was able to find their groove down the stretch and bring the game back within single digits. However, Charleston Southern continued to battle and make their shots when they needed them to hold on for the victory.
The Buccaneers were able to have four players finish in double figures with Johnson leading all scorers with 31.
A'lahn Sumler and
Taje' Kelly each finished with 15 points and
DJ Patrick finished with 11. Johnson finished the night perfect from deep going 6-6 and added a 9-10 mark from the free throw line. Kelly also had a solid night from the charity stripe with an 11-14 mark while Patrick made all four of his. Additionally, this marked the 7
th 30-point performance by a player in the Big South on the season.
Kelly led the team in rebounding as he had eight on the night.
Gaddis Heath III also had a great night on the boards pulling down six to tie his season-high that he set last time out. Johnson and Sumler each dished four assists to contribute to the team's 15, their most against a Division I opponent since late November.
Charleston Southern will look to continue to build on the momentum on Saturday as they will welcome USC Upstate (0-2) to the Buc Dome. The tipoff for the contest is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
