Box Score Charleston WV - As the Golden Eagles continue their Conference play, Wheeling Jesuit falls prey to Charleston’s high-pressure play that resulted in a loss for the Cardinals in Eddie King Gym of 84-59 at the buzzer.
In Thursday nights match-up the Golden Eagles tipped off with Tianni Kelly winning possession. This proved to be foreshadowing for the Cardinals for what was to come throughout the following minutes. Although the game would be close throughout the first half, Charleston lead the scoreboard proving to be as constant as the 3 pointers sunk from behind the arc.
With Wheeling Jesuit trailing only by a small margin, they kept the pressure on constantly bringing the contest close on several occasions coming within a point of taking over the lead or tying it up. Charleston, however, outshot the Cardinals in the first half 50% to 38.2%. When Wheeling Jesuit sank a shot to put them ahead with 10:35 on the clock, Nicole Perry answered with a trey of her own. After yet another shot sank from behind the arc by Kali Cuttaia found its mark, a quick turnover followed by a successful layup put Charleston ahead 43-35.
After the return to the paint, the Cardinals emerged from the locker room in hot pursuit of a come back. This was not to be, however, as the Golden Eagles began to slowly pull away and the 9 point deficit would be as close as Wheeling Jesuit would be to tasting victory for the remainder of this matchup. Hitting 48.4% of their shots the second half, Charleston kept putting points on the board as Jesuit finished their half with an average of 29%.
Although not defeated, both teams endeavored to fight until the finish although the Cardinals’ efforts would come up short. With the last ten minutes ticking away, Charleston played smart. Not only were they running their plays like in practice and utilizing their aggressive offense against their opponent, they were sinking baskets when it counted. Whether on fouls or layups, consistency put Charleston up 75-47 with 6:33 left on the clock. Charleston led with a 29-point deficit by the time the clock reached 2:30 and thus finished with a decisive 84-59 victory.
Several key players for the Golden Eagles tonight consisted of Nichole Perry and Chelsea Brumby taking the lead with 14 points a piece. Jessi Cowden finished with 11 points and LeAnne Ross with 10. Alex Anderson finished with 10 points for the Cardinals. Charleston, hungry for more, is working hard toward further successes in their matchup with Alderson-Broaddus as they travel to Phillipi, WV, Monday, Jan. 28th.
