Box Score CARROLLTON, Ga.-The Christian Brothers University Bucs won their third straight game Thursday night as they held off West Georgia 74-70 to move into sole possession of second place in the Gulf South Conference standings with three games remaining.

The Bucs (16-7, 11-4 GSC) steadily built a lead in the first half, opening a 37-27 cushion when Ryan Fleming (Cincinnati, Ohio/La Salle HS) scored a three-point play on a tip-in with 39 seconds remaining in the first half. The Wolves (7-16, 4-11) never came closer than two points again, but the Bucs were unable to push their lead past nine points in the second half.

Trey Casey (Cincinnati, Ohio/La Salle HS) turned in his second double-double in the last four games with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Pat Graham (Bowling Green, Ohio/Bowling Green HS) scored 21 on 6-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-11 from three-point range.  Michael Drake (Little Rock, Ark./Catholic HS) scored 13 with eight rebounds and six assists, and Dominic Fragale (Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) scored a career-high nine points in 19 minutes, making a three-pointer and six-of-eight free throws.

Zach Taulien and Sean Boston scored 15 each for the Wolves.  Quincy Hill scored 12, and Deontre Brown added 10.

The Bucs shot 52.5 percent (21-of-40) for the game, including 54.5 percent (12-of-22) from three-point range.  UWG shot 40.6 percent (26-of-64).  The Bucs out-rebounded UWG 39-28, but UWG held a 13-8 edge in offensive boards and forced 20 CBU turnovers while committing just seven.

With Shorter's 77-64 win over North Alabama Thursday night, the Bucs are a game ahead of third-place UNA (10-5), with the tiebreaker by virtue of winning both meetings, with three games to play.  With No. 8 Alabama-Huntsville's 82-77 win over Union Thursday night, the Bucs remain a game and a half behind the first-place Chargers (13-3).

The Bucs visit West Alabama Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. Their next home game is Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. against Valdosta State.