Charleston Southern University’s women’s basketball team was defeated by Gardner-Webb 52-45 in a defensive matchup at Buccaneer Fieldhouse on Saturday. The loss brings Charleston Southern’s record to 5-14 overall and 3-3 in Big South Conference play, while Gardner-Webb improves to 6-13 and 3-2 in the conference.
Caelan Ellis led Charleston Southern with 14 points, marking her fifteenth double-digit scoring game this season. Tyonna Bailey contributed 13 points and nine rebounds, nearly achieving her third consecutive double-double. Asha Sra recorded a career-high 10 rebounds along with seven assists.
Despite holding Gardner-Webb to under 30 percent shooting from the field, Charleston Southern struggled offensively. The team shot just 28.6 percent (16-for-56) from the field and made only five of their thirty-two attempts from three-point range (15.6 percent), their lowest mark of the season.
The first quarter saw both teams focus on defense, with Gardner-Webb leading narrowly at 14-12. In the second quarter, Gardner-Webb limited Charleston Southern to four points on one-of-ten shooting, building a halftime lead of 23-16 that they maintained for the remainder of the game.
Charleston Southern improved in the third quarter by outscoring Gardner-Webb 20-16 and narrowing the gap to three points at one stage, helped by Mya Dotson who scored seven of her eight total points during that period. However, Gardner-Webb responded in the fourth quarter by holding CSU to just three-of-sixteen shooting and securing the win.
Gardner-Webb’s Amina Gray scored a game-high sixteen points while Makayla Legette added fourteen points. Amira Ofunnilyin led with ten rebounds for Gardner-Webb.
Gardner-Webb took advantage of turnovers and fast breaks throughout the contest, outscoring CSU in points off turnovers (18-8) and fast-break points (10-3). Overall, Charleston Southern committed twenty-one turnovers compared to twelve assists.
“Charleston Southern continues Big South play next Saturday (Jan. 24) as they head to Presbyterian for a 2:00 p.m. tipoff.”
For further updates on CSU women’s basketball, fans can follow @CSUBucsWBB on X and Instagram or visit www.CSUSports.com.
