Johnson City, Tenn. (Nov. 24, 2019) --- Delaware State held a halftime lead for the first time this season, but faltered in the final 20 minutes of a 71-61 men's basketball loss to Charleston Southern today.

Philandrous Fleming had 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Dontrell Shuler added 18 points to lead the Buccaneers, who improved to 2-5 this season.

Delaware State's John Crosby led all players with 23 points, highlighted by a season-best four three-point field goals, while Myles Carter came off the bench to add 11 points (4-6 FG) for the Hornets.

Delaware State (0-7) led 32-29 at the half and held its biggest second half lead,  50-44, on a three-pointer by Lance Singh with 10:53 left to play.

Charleston Southern responded with a 13-0 run, and pulled ahead 57-50 lead on a three-pointer by Deontaye Buskey at the 7:14 mark of the second half.

The Bucs opened up a double-digit lead (62-52) on a jumper by Shuler with 3:53 left. The Hornets could get no closer than eight points the rest of the way.

There were eight ties and five lead changes in the first half.  The score was 23-23 when Delaware State scored nine of the next 11 points to take control. The Hornets opened up their biggest lead of the game, 32-25, on a three-point play by Ameer Bennett with 1:44 to go before the break.

After hitting 13 of their 28 first half shots (46.4%), the Hornets knocked down just 10 of 34 attempts from the floor (29.4%) in the final 20 minutes.

Free throw shooting was also a factor in the contest. Delaware State attempted just nine shots from the line, hitting eight, while the Bucs were 17-for-23 from the stripe.

The Hornets are back home on Tuesday (Nov. 26) to face the College of St. Elizabeth. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall.