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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The University of Charleston women’s basketball team weathered a strong comeback attempt by Seton Hill behind the hot-hand of senior Tiana Beatty (Charleston, W.Va./Capital) who exploded for 23 points and 12 rebounds in a 66-53 win.
The Golden Eagles (24-6) were pesky on defense in the first half to hold the Griffins (22-7) to just 13 percent from the field as the power trio of Tarenna Dixon (Morgantown, W.Va./University), Erika Rousculp (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) and Tianni Kelly (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North) dominated the paint not allow any points inside in the first half.
Charleston exploited Seton Hill’s inability to find the net to run away with the game early pulling away by as much as 20 points, before a pair of late free throws by SHU’s Lindsy Muchnock would set the half time advantage at 31-13. UC secured the comfortable lead behind 54 percent shooting, which included three shots from behind the arc. In the opening half the Golden Eagles owned an 18-0 advantage in the paint and an 11-0 difference in fast break points.
The second half saw a different Griffins team emerge from the locker room as their zone defense slowed the Charleston shooting attack to a 40 percent tilt, which allowed SHU to creep back into the contest mid-way through the closing half. With 8:48 remaining the Griffins leading scorer Paige Alviani found the bottom of the net to pull Seton Hill within four points at 39-35. Alviani paced all scorers in the game with 28 points.
The Golden Eagles did not collapse under the pressure though as they would follow the comeback shot with a 13-2 run to again distance their selves at 52-39. UC outlasted their 24 turnovers in the game by nailing 8-of-9 shots from the charity stripe in the final two minutes to seal the final score at 66-53.
Dixon netted 14 points and eight rebounds in the game, while Lindsey Kentner (Wapakoneta, Ohio/Wapakoenta) and Chrissy Keir (Savreville, NJ/Cardinal McCarrick) followed with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The win advances Charleston to the West Virginia Conference championship game on Saturday, March 5 at 6:30 pm in the Charleston Civic Center. UC will face the winner of Concord vs. Glenville State, both of which UC split regular season series’ with.
