Box Score
GLENVILLE, W.Va. - Jon Liggins (Cleveland, Ohio / Cuyahoga CC) scored 36 points and the University of Charleston overcame a two-point halftime deficit to defeat Glenville State 97-86 in men's basketball Monday night in Glenville.
The Pioneers (2-10, 2-7) were able to stay afloat in the first half by nailing 7-of-11 shots from behind the three-point as they were dominated by a 22-10 margin in the paint by a larger more physical Golden Eagles post presence.
After the halftime break, UC came out strong underneath the basket yet again going back to post players Ibrahim Marone (Trotwood, Ohio / Madison) and Marco Richardson (Canton, Ohio / Northland CC). Marone ended the evening with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting to bolster his conference leading .706 shooting percentage. Richardson recorded his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while tallying an impressive five steals.
The score was tied six times in the second period with the final one coming as Liggins drilled a three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to force an extra period of play. In overtime, Charleston pulled away by shooting 6-for-9 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from behind the arc.
The difference maker though was UC's ability to hit five free throws in extra period with Marcus Knott (Dearborn Heights, Mich. / Henry Ford CC) sealing the game with back-to-back free throws to put the game out of reach for Glenville State.
"I'm proud of this team tonight, we showed a ton of resilency." said Head Coach Mark Downey, "We put ourselves in a tough situation but never gave up. It is about time we pull one of these types of games out. We grew up a little bit tonight, but we need to keep building and use the momentum."
Charleston's defense forced Glenville to commit 18 turnovers in the contest, which led to a 25-11 advantage in points off turnovers in the contest.
The victory is the Golden Eagles' second straight after five consecutive losses. UC is 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the West Virginia Conference.
The Golden Eagles return to the court at home on Thursday, January 13 for an 8:00 pm tipoff against a tough conference opponent in Wheeling Jesuit.
