CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Will Saunders hit five 3-pointers to finish with 16 points and eight rebounds as Charleston Southern cruised past Coastal Carolina 70-58 in a Big South Conference opener Wednesday night.

The Buccaneers (7-7, 1-0) shot 42.9 percent from the field, including a 15-of-27 performance in the first half. Saah Nimley had 15 points and six assists, while Arlon Harper scored 14 and Matt Kennedy added 12, respectively.

Coastal Carolina (7-8, 0-1) was held to 3-of-16 shooting from beyond the arc, but dominated the inside with a 36-14 points in the paint advantage. Josh Cameron had 11 points and Warren Gillis chipped in 10.

Nursing a three-point lead, Charleston Southern surged ahead by hitting 10 of its 13 total 3-pointers in the first half to take a 45-27 lead at the break. Despite shooting just 27.3 percent in the second half, they still led by as much as 23.