Big South Opening Round: Charleston Southern Runs Past Campbell 81-71

The Campbell Fighting Camels and Charleston Southern Buccaneers both came into the HTC Center on Thursday evening not riding the biggest wave of momentum ever. After starting the Big South season 5-2 the Camel dropped eight of their last nine games coming into the conference tournament, but still held the fourth seed in the North. Charleston Southern was a Big South preseason favorite but injuries, star Saah Nimley is out for the year, and bad luck have hobbled the Bucs.

One thing is for sure...these two teams can bomb it from downtown and were hungry for a win. Actually, that's two things.

Campbell took a 42-33 lead into halftime, but with Kevin McGheehan had to know that lead wasn't safe with the offensive firepower and poor defense these teams possess.

Charleston Southern slowly chipped away at the Camels lead until they finally got over the hump (get it?) and tied the game at 64 with 7:35 thanks to a Sheldon Strickland three ball.

The Camels were never able to catch ups with the Bucs after that despite setting the Big South Tournament record with 13 threes on the night. Part of Campbell's troubles came at the free throw line where they were 14-for-22 on the evening.

Charleston Southern's 81-71 win was powered by 20 points and 6 boards from guard Arlon Harper. Will Saunders added 18 points while Stickland finished with 14 and Matt Kennedy posted 13 points.

Reco McCarter paced the Camels with 19 points.

Charleston Southern will now face the South Division top seed and rival Coastal Carolina on Friday at 6 PM. It will mark the second time the Bucs have played the Chanticleers in the HTC Center in less than a week as the two teams met last Saturday in a game Coastal won 63-61. The Bucs beat the Chants 70-58 in North Charleston back in January.