Box Score
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Behind 51 percent shooting the University of Charleston easily dispatched host Nova Southeastern in a 81-68 victory to close the NSU Thanksgiving Tournament, Saturday evening.

Xavier Humphrey (Wake Forest, N.C.) rained down a long-range three point shot to open the night's scoring, which seemingly set the tempo for the Golden Eagles throughout the first half of play. It only took UC six minutes to build a 13 point advantage to give a feeling that Charleston would be able to score with ease all evening long.

Nove Southeastern showed some fight late in the opening half in front of the home crowd as they capitalized on a handful of sloppy possessions by the Golden Eagles for a 17-1 run, which gave the home squad their only lead of the night at 34-33 with 1:34 left before halftime.

A slashing layup by electrifying playmaker Terrell Lipkins (Canton, Ohio) retook the lead for Charleston before Quincy Washington (Florence, SC) fought his way inside for a tip in as time expired to set the halftime score at 37-34.

The University of Charleston started half number two just as they did the first with a deep three point basket this time courtesy of newcomer Corey Jackson (Louisville, KY). UC managed to put their lead back into the double-digits just four minutes into the second stanza and never looked back as they found the nearly automatic scoring that was successful early in the contest.

Lipkins commanded the offense with a familiar efficiency that was displayed in the season opener against Puerto Rico-Mayaguez as he vaulted the visitor advantage to 23 points by taking the ball to the rim on three-straight possessions.

Charleston's lead grew to as much as 27 before head coach Mark Downey began to experiment with multiple lineup configurations allowing nearly the entire team to find time on the floor. UC didn't find the net in the final four minutes of play, but valuable game experience was gained as Nova fought for every point during a 13-0 run that set the final tally at 81-68.

Lipkins had a huge night, going off for 26 points, four assists and three streals to pace the Golden Eagles offensive onslaught. Veterans Humphrey and Evan Faulkner (Sandyhook, Ky.) provided support from three-point land as each booked 15 points in the win.

Aleksander Kesic (Belgrade, Serbia) was the rebounding leader with eight, yet more importantly held Nova Southeastern big-man and top scorer Iran Hollis to only four points.

UC gets a week's rest before hitting the road again for a Dec. 1 matchup against WVIAC opponent Shepherd.