Georgia Southern University men’s basketball team gets an upset at home as they defeat the College of Charleston 51-47 improving to 8-10 (2-3 SoCon) in a nail biter.

The Eagles came out stagnant but they led the Cougars 10-4 after senior guard C.J Reed connected with junior forward Eric Ferguson on a crowd hyping alley-oop.

After a slow start for both teams as they struggled offensively, the Cougars closed the half on an 11-3 run and went into halftime up 20-13 over GSU.

Ferguson struggled offensively making only one of his seven shot attempts in the first half. The Eagles entire offense would struggle similarly shooting 25 % in the first half despite holding the Cougars to a 32% field goal percentage.

“A lot of our struggles were because of Charleston. We couldn’t attack them because they’re huge we couldn’t finish at the rim because they’re huge and athletic,” said head coach Charlton Young.

The second half began and a GSU emerged with energy on the offensive end as they went on a 9-1 run taking the lead 22-21.

GSU would out score their first half total within the first ten minutes of the second half as they trailed the Cougars 35-32.

Another Reed-Ferguson alley put GSU on top again 40-39, as the teams battled back and forth for control of the lead. .

After five unanswered points by the Cougars, Roberts hit a three off a pass from Reed to bring the Eagles within one at 44-43 with 56 seconds left to play.

For the third time in the game Reed and Ferguson hooked up for an alley and took a 45-44 lead.

“Being a senior point guard I gotta lead these guys and I gotta have confidence in them, I know they can make plays. It’s my job to get them the ball to be able to make plays,” said Reed

Two clutch free throws from Reed put the Eagles ahead 47-44. Roberts iced the game with four free throws with less than 20 seconds left as the Eagles won 51-47.

Reed led the Eagles with 14 points, five assists and three steals. Roberts totaled 12 points and Ferguson contributed with 11 points six rebounds and two steals.

The Cougars were led by guard Andrew Lawrence with 15 points and forward Anthony Thomas with 10 points and seven rebounds.

GSU will finish its three-game stretch of which they are 2-0 so far at home against the Citadel on Saturday at 7 p.m.