Box Score Charleston, WV - Coach Adam Collins picks up his first victory against rival WV State 76 -71.  UC led wire to wire in the contest behind a career-high 20 points from LeAnne Ross (Marietta, OH) making five of her nine 3-point FG attempts.

Charleston (7-6, 4-5) used an 8-0 run to start the game forcing the Yellow Jackets (4-8, 4-5) into three early turnovers and dictating the pace of play.  At the first media timeout UC held a six point advantage with the scoreboard showing 11-5.  Following the break, the Golden Eagles posted an 11-4 run and built the lead up to 13 points midway through the first half. UC was able to maintain that double-digit cushion for the remainder of the half despite shooting just 29% from the field in the first 20 minutes.  What UC did do is force State into 16 1st half turnovers that allowed the Golden Eagles to score 22 points off of those turnovers.  Charleston was able to hit nine 3's before going into the locker room with the lead 40-28.  Ross was the only player in double figures for the first half scoring 14 points on five of eight shooting.

The Yellow Jackets came out for the second half a bit more focused and put early pressure on UC getting the lead down to six just a couple minutes into the half.  Charleston responded to State's challenge and pushed the lead back out to 14 points after a 3-pointer by Jessi Cowden (Tomball, TX) off an assist from Kaitlyn Theisen (Saranac, MI) (Tomball, TX). The Golden Eagles were able to control the remainder of the game and seemed to hit a big shot when State would start to get momentum.  WV State was able to cut lead down to five  points with about five minutes remaining when Jasmine Blanton knocked down a 3-pointer from the wing.  The Yellow Jackets could never get any closer than that as UC held on to take victory 76-71.

UC was led by Ross, but also got solid games from Cowden (17 points, 9 rebounds) and Nichole Perry (Poseyville, IN) (17 points).  The Yellow Jackets got a good effort from Asia Greenleaf who finished the game with 18 points and seven rebounds. State and Charleston will face off again on Feb. 23 in Institute, WV.

Up next for the Golden Eagles is conference leading West Liberty.  The two teams will face off Monday with a start time of 5:30 pm at Eddie King Gymnasium.