Box Score
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Senior John White (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Peter Chanel) erupted for 22 points and nine rebounds as he powered the University of Charleston men’s basketball team to a decisive 83-59 win over Glenville State, Saturday night at Eddie King Gym.
Charleston (11-11, 9-9) came off the opening tip slowly trying to find its offense that had led to its three-game winning streak coming into the game. It seemed as though the Golden Eagles were seeing a mirror image of the UC team from the first half of the season as they allowed the Pioneers (4-17, 4-15) to hang around and even lead for a four minute span.
Leading scorer Jon Liggins (Euclid, Ohio/Cuyahoga CC) reenergized an Eddie King Gym crowd that was still regaining its breath after the women’s game with a quick move through the lane for an uncontested layup to give Charleston a 26-24 lead with 7:11 left before break, which they did not look back on.
UC would have its way with the visiting team in the final six minutes of the first half to leave them gasping for any hope of a comeback. Key reserve Brandon Ross (Chicago, Ill./Lincoln Park) dashed any hopes of the Golden Eagles offense folding as he went 3-for-3 from behind the arc in crucial moments down the stretch as the home team pulled away to a 19 point lead at half. Ross provided a great spark off the bench with 15 points in the contest including four three-pointers.
The inside-out offense that Charleston has demonstrated with great success in the second half of the season led to the home team having a 28-12 advantage in the paint, along with a 13 second chance points. There is little coincidence that White scored 13 points in the first half as he battled underneath the rim to keep the ball in Charleston’s possession.
The second half offered little reprieve for Glenville State as UC struck out the idea of any type of comeback. Charleston continued setup residence in the paint as the lead slowly expanded to 29 points before head coach Mark Downey opened the floor up to his bench to close down the stretch. 15 players saw the floor for the Golden Eagles as the underclassmen wrapped up the 83-59 home win to expand the winning-streak to four games.
White led all scorers in the game with Ross and Liggins each finishing with 15 points on the night. Marco Richardson (Canton, Ohio/Northland CC) continued to be a catalyst for UC as he pulled down nine rebounds, while netting eight points but his play went beyond the numbers in setting up baskets for his teammates.
Justin Caldwell and Nick Dent paced GSU with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Charleston looks to continue its charge through the West Virginia Conference standings on Thursday, Feb. 17 as they travel to Fairmont State for a 7:30 pm contest.
