The Basics
Score: Charleston Southern 84 – Jacksonville 86 (OT)
Record: CSU (0-1) – JAX (1-0)
Location: Swisher Gymnasium
 
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Charleston Southern women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought season opener in overtime, falling 86-84 to Jacksonville Monday night at Swisher Gymnasium.
 
The Buccaneers battled back from a 20-point first-half deficit and used a dominant third quarter to force extra time, but the Dolphins held on late at the free throw line to escape with the two-point win.
 
Box Score Highlights
Charleston Southern Individuals:

• Tyonna Bailey – 22 points, 8-14 FG, 7 rebounds
• Caelan Ellis – 14 points, 4-6 3PT, 4 rebounds
• Alaina Nettles – 8 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists
• Aïssé Coulibaly – 10 points, 4 rebounds

Jacksonville Individuals:

• Tatum Brown – 20 points, 7-12 FG
• Priscilla Williams – 16 points, 11 rebounds
• Comari Mitchell – 15 points, 5-12 FG
• Makiya Miller – 13 points, 3 assists

Key Team Stats
Charleston Southern shot 45.8 percent (27-59) from the field, including 10-of-29 (34.5%) from three and 20-of-26 (76.9%) at the line. Jacksonville finished 37.1 percent (26-70) overall, 7-of-23 (30.4%) from beyond the arc, and 27-of-42 (64.3%) at the stripe.
 
The Buccaneers owned a narrow 44-43 rebounding edge, while Jacksonville capitalized with a 32-21 advantage in points off turnovers and a 13-4 margin in second-chance points. CSU recorded 12 assists to Jacksonville's 11, while both teams committed over 20 turnovers.
 
Turning Point
After trailing by 20 late in the second quarter, Charleston Southern roared back with a 23-point third period. The Bucs outscored Jacksonville 23-14 in the frame, sparked by a hot stretch from guard Tyonna Bailey, who poured in 10 points in the quarter. CSU trimmed the deficit to five entering the fourth and eventually forced overtime behind balanced scoring and defensive stops.

Jacksonville steadied in the extra period, converting seven free throws and holding the Bucs to 4-of-6 at the line to close out the narrow 86-84 decision.

Key Stats & Notes

• Bailey's career-high 22 points led all scorers and marked her second career 20-point game.
• Ellis knocked down a team-high four threes and added four rebounds. Her four threes tied a career-high.
• Nettles neared a double-double with 8 points and 9 boards in a game-high 39 minutes.
• Coulibaly and Barbitch combined for 21 points off the bench.
• The Bucs' 27 made field goals came off 12 assists.
• CSU outshot Jacksonville from the field and three-point range but was outscored 27-20 at the free throw line.

Up Next
Charleston Southern returns to the Lowcountry for an 11:00 a.m. game against College of Charleston at TD Arena.
 
For the latest information on CSU women's basketball, follow @CSUBucsWBB on X and Instagram or go to www.CSUSports.com.