By: CSU Sports Media
Charleston Southern made sure its 600th win in program history was never in doubt as the Buccaneers ran away from visiting USC Upstate on Thursday night inside the Buccaneer Field House, 92-60.
Christian Keeling also eclipsed a career milestone as the junior guard became just the third player in CSU history to achieve 1,500 career points and 500 career rebounds midway through the second half to help pace the Buccaneers (13-13, 7-6 Big South) to the season sweep over the Spartans. Keeling finished the contest with 19 points and 13 rebounds while playing a game-high 34 minutes on the floor.
The Buccaneers held the 12-point lead over Upstate (6-23, 1-13 Big South) at the half and then proceeded to shoot 63.3% from the floor and 57.1% from the three-point line in the second half on their way to leading by as many as 36 points before closing out the win. Upstate was unable to mount the late challenge despite 24 points from Deion Holmes in the loss.
Phlandrous Fleming scored 16 points and added six rebounds off the bench for CSU, while Deontaye Buskey (10) and Dontrell Shuler (10) were also in double-digits. The Bucs held the 47-25 rebounding advantage and outscored the Spartans 45-20 off the bench.
Holmes was the lone Upstate player in double-digits on Thursday as the Spartans shot 39.7% from the floor and 40.7% from the three-point line. USC Upstate added five blocked shots as a team in the game paced by Pat Welch’s two.
Coach’s Comments
“I thought our attitude and execution tonight was A-plus. We were extremely unselfish. The ball moved and it was exciting to see us play like that, so efficiently, and use all of our weapons. I think our team is rounding into shape at the right time of year. We need to continue to improve. I knew at some point this team would be good and can we get better than good is the challenge before the tournament.” – Head Coach Barclay Radebaugh
Up Next
Charleston Southern is back on the road this weekend for a Saturday afternoon contest in Rock Hill, S.C. against Winthrop University. Tipoff inside the Winthrop Coliseum is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN3.
