Lady Bucs' Record Rally Edges Radford

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Charleston Southern Lady Buccaneers overcame a 27-point deficit in the final nine minutes, the largest rally in school history, to defeat visiting Radford, 72-69, Monday night at the CSU Fieldhouse.

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Radford (11-13, 5-6) was led by Taryn Causey's (Collierville, Tenn.) 17 points as the senior guard connected on five-of-seven from three-point range. Kelli Darden (Chesapeake, Va.) added 12 points and Sarah Stephens (Hampton, Va.) scored 10 for the Highlanders.

Radford shot a sizzling 61.5 percent in the first half, including 8-of-13 from long range, to take a 41-29 halftime lead. Radford opened the second half with a 15-4 run to take a 56-33 lead with 13:04 remaining.

The lead stretched to 27 points at 65-38 with 8:55 remaining before CSU began the miracle comeback. A Shaunte Small layup at the 6:30 mark cut the lead to 65-45 but Ashley Thomas's (Jessup, Md.) basket gave Radford a 67-45 lead with 6:09 left.

Playing with mostly reserves in the final six minutes, CSU cut the lead to nine at 67-58 with 2:49 remaining on Danielle Baskin's three-pointer. Ekberg's layup with 2:09 remaining cut the lead to 67-61. Bryant hit a free throw line jumper with two minutes remaining to cut the lead to 67-63.

Darden hit two free throws with 1:55 remaining for a 69-63 lead but CSU would score the final 10 points. Ekberg hit another driving shot and a free throw with 1:37 remaining, cutting the lead to three. After a Radford turnover, Ekberg again hit a layup with :51 left, cutting the lead to one at 69-68.

Another Radford turnover and a third consecutive driving shot by Ekberg with :29 left gave CSU a 70-69 lead. Radford held for a final shot but Causey's layup was blocked by freshman Shaunte Small, who had three blocks in the contest, with nine seconds remaining. Bryant was fouled and hit two free throws with :04 left to seal the victory.

Radford managed only two field goals in the final nine minutes of the game and shot 28.6 percent in the second half. Charleston Southern shot 60 percent in the second half and 50.9 percent for the game, hitting 11-of-15 free throws in the second half. CSU forced 22 Radford turnovers with Bryant finishing with four steals. Radford easily outrebounded CSU, 40-27, finishing with 18 offensive boards.