NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined more by missed shots than made ones, the UNC Asheville women’s basketball team used a dominant first half to secure a 60-48 victory over Charleston Southern in a Big South Conference game Wednesday night at CSU Field House.

The Bulldogs (9-14, 4-6) built a 35-20 halftime lead by holding the Buccaneers (7-16, 3-7) to just eight points in the first quarter and 12 in the second. Charleston Southern’s offensive woes were stark, shooting a frigid 14 for 58 from the field for the game, a 24.1% clip. UNC Asheville was not much more efficient, finishing 20 of 56, but its early cushion and advantage on the glass proved decisive.

The most critical phase of the game was unquestionably the opening quarter. UNC Asheville set a physical, disruptive tone from the outset, forcing Charleston Southern into a series of rushed and contested attempts. The Buccaneers opened the game missing their first eight field goal attempts and committed three early turnovers, allowing the Bulldogs to build a 15-8 lead after one period. That defensive foundation expanded in the second quarter, where Asheville’s 20-point output, fueled by Jamaria Freeman and Kristen McMillan, pushed the lead to 15 by the break. Charleston Southern never recovered from that initial deficit, never pulling closer than nine points in the second half despite a slightly more productive third quarter.

Charleston Southern guard Asha Sra, a freshman from Fresno, California, led all scorers with 17 points, adding three assists. Tyonna Bailey of Newark, New Jersey, also scored 17 for the Buccaneers. Mya Dotson provided a defensive presence for the home team with four blocked shots.

UNC Asheville’s attack was more balanced. Nia Green, a sophomore from Baltimore, Maryland, paced the Bulldogs with 14 points and nine rebounds. D’Yanna Maxey of Atlanta, Georgia, scored 12, while Freeman and McMillan each added 11. The Bulldogs won the rebounding battle 46-37 and grabbed nine offensive boards to Charleston Southern’s four, creating crucial second-chance opportunities in a game where clean looks were scarce.

The Buccaneers’ offensive rating of 67.6 points per 100 possessions underscored their struggles, as they managed only four assists against seven turnovers. UNC Asheville, while committing 11 turnovers, posted a more functional offensive rating of 86.5 and made five three-pointers to Charleston Southern’s five on 21 attempts.

The victory avenged a 72-66 home loss to Charleston Southern on Jan. 14 for UNC Asheville. The Bulldogs’ defense, which entered the game allowing an average of 62.5 points per contest, far exceeded that standard Wednesday. Charleston Southern’s 48 points marked a season low for a UNC Asheville opponent.

The game was played before an announced crowd of 310. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Charleston Southern entered with an 85.80 percent probability to win.

UNC Asheville travels to face Longwood on Saturday. Charleston Southern hosts Presbyterian on Saturday.