Box Score INSTITUTE, W.Va. - University of Charleston used a late second half rally to pull away from a tough Chowan team in Institute Saturday evening in the final game of the MEC/CIAA Classic, earning a 71-61 win.
Charleston jumped on the Hawks early, building a nine point lead, 14-5, after a Nichole Perry layup five minutes into the first half. Chowan responded to draw within four points at 21-25 at the 3:31 mark with most of their points coming from the inside from Summer Curtis and Courtni Williams who combined for 12 first half points. UC kept the Hawks scoreless for the remainder of the half and went on a 7-0 run to go to halftime with their largest lead of the half at 11 points, 34-23.
Nichole Perry pumped in 14 points in the first 20 minutes, going 4-for-5 from behind the arc to lead the Golden Eagles. Chyress Lockhart was a stat sheet filler chipping in eight points, grabbing four boards and dishing out four assists in 17 minutes of action.
The Hawks came out of the locker with intense defense and quickly whittled the double digit lead down to three points, 36-39, after another Curtis layup in the paint. Chowan kept feeding the post taking advantage of their size advantage to go on a 7-0 run to grab their first lead of the game at 43-39 at the 14:18 mark of the second half. The next nine minutes played close with neither team holding a lead of more than four points. With Charleston leading by one at 62-61 and four minutes remaining, the Golden Eagles scored the next nine points and held Chowan scoreless to earn the 10-point victory, 71-61.
Lockhart flirted with a triple double scoring 16 points, handing out eight assists and grabbing seven rebound. Perry went scoreless in the second half but finished the game with 14 points and a career high 8 rebounds. Tianni Kelly also got a double-double as well pulling down 12 rebounds and putting in nine points.
LeAnne Ross and Chyress Lockhart were named to the MEC/CIAA Classic All-Tournament Team based on the two day event.
Charleston improved to 2-0 on the season and returns to the court next Friday as they travel to Clarion University for the Clarion University Classic where they will face the host and Millersville University
