BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Graduate forward Jamaine Mann scored a career-high 30 points on 9-of-11 shooting, but it was not enough as the Gardner-Webb (9-15, 4-7) men's basketball team was dealt a 79-72 loss at the hands of Charleston Southern (9-17, 5-6) on Saturday afternoon inside Paul Porter Arena. Mann crushed his previous personal-best of 18 points versus Georgia Southern last season.
 
Sophomore guard Darryl Simmons II was the only other 'Dawg to post double digits, finishing with 14 points and four assists. Charleston Southern held a 35-27 advantage on the boards.
 
The Buccaneers came out strong, jumping to a 14-4 lead early in the opening period. However, a jumper by Simmons sparked an 8-3 burst by GWU while trimming the deficit to 17-12 with 13 minutes to play before halftime.
 
Charleston Southern opened the lead back to double figures on a pair of occasions, but the Runnin' Bulldogs continued to battle, eventually taking the lead, 31-30, following two free throws by Mann. The remainder of the first was back-and-forth as CSU took a 38-36 lead into the intermission.
 
The game saw three ties and two lead changes over the first four minutes of the second half before the Bucs built a 55-46 lead following a basket from Taje Kelly at the 12:58 mark. Gardner-Webb was able to cut the score to 57-53, but Charleston Southern countered each attack by the home team while maintaining a comfortable lead.
 
After falling behind 66-55, the Runnin' Bulldogs used a crucial 15-3 scoring run, capped by an old-fashioned three-point play from senior forward Ademide Badmus to push ahead 70-69 with just over two minutes to play.
 
However, Charleston Southern outscored the 'Dawgs 10-2 down the stretch while claiming the 79-72 win.
 
Gardner-Webb will be back in action on Saturday, February 15 as it travels to take on USC Upstate. Tip for that contest is slated for 3 p.m.