Charleston Southern University (CSU) is preparing for two home games as the Big South Conference regular season nears its end. The Buccaneers will host Gardner-Webb on Tuesday, February 17 at 6:00 PM and Longwood on Saturday, February 21 at 4:00 PM. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
In their previous meeting with Gardner-Webb on December 31, CSU overcame a 17-point deficit in the first half to win 89-79. A’lahn Sumler led CSU with 29 points in his first Big South game since March 2024. Teammates Luke Williams, Brycen Blaine, and Jesse Hafemeister also scored in double figures during their conference debuts.
Gardner-Webb features three players averaging double-digit points in league play: Jacob Hogarth (11.6), Colin Hawkins (11.3), and Spence Sims (10.5). In the earlier matchup against CSU, each of these players exceeded their season averages, with NaVuan Peterson adding 17 points. Sims is a leading candidate for the Big South’s Freshman of the Year award and has earned three or more Freshman of the Week honors this season, matched only by Charleston Southern’s Jacob Taylor, who has received the honor for two consecutive weeks.
Gardner-Webb is coached by Jeremy Luther, who has been with the program since 2013 and was promoted to head coach in March 2024. Since then, he has compiled a record of 14-44. Gardner-Webb leads the all-time series against CSU, 27-10; however, Charleston Southern has won the last three meetings.
The second home game will see CSU face Longwood on February 21. Their previous encounter took place on January 23 in Farmville, where Longwood secured an overtime victory, defeating CSU 81-79. Sumler and Blaine combined for a total of 50 points for Charleston Southern in that game.
Longwood’s frontcourt was led by Elijah Tucker with 21 points and Johan Nziemi with 17 points during their last matchup against CSU. Ronnie Thomas serves as Longwood’s head coach after being promoted in March of 2025 following his arrival to the staff in 2020. In his first year as head coach, Thomas has guided Longwood to a balanced record of 14-14 so far this season.
Longwood holds a lead over Charleston Southern in their all-time series history at 14-9.
Fans can follow updates about Charleston Southern men’s basketball through Instagram and X/Twitter @csu_mbball.
