Box Score CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Charleston withstood a late surge from Fairmont State University to win a huge early season MEC matchup by a score of 75-71 Thursday evening at the Eddie King Gymnasium

UC improves to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in MEC play while Fairmont drops to 5-2 and 1-2 in conference play.

Charleston had three players finish with double figures, led by Baptiste Boucharel and Tino diTrapano's 15 points apiece.  Aleksander Kesic chipped in 12 points and six rebounds to help guide UC to the MEC victory. 

Thirteen of diTrapano's points came in the second half, including back-to-back baskets shortly after halftime to help UC construct an 11-point lead.

Thomas Wimbush paced the Fairmont attack scoring a a game-high 23 points on his way to a double-double, grabbing 10 rebounds in the losing effort.

The UC victory nearly slipped away late in the game. On three occasions in the second half, UC led by 11 points, the latest a 66-55 advantage on Denio Chirindja's layup, assisted by Tino diTrapano, with 5:03 left in the game.

But the Falcons, who defeated UC in Eddie King Gym last year, cut the deficit to 73-70 on Caleb Davis' basket with 32 seconds left. And after Fairmont stole a pass, the Falcons' Ke'Chaun Lewis drew a foul and made 1 of 2, cutting the Golden Eagles' lead to 73-71 with 26 seconds left.

With 23 seconds left, UC's diTrapano converted 1 of 2 free throws, leaving Fairmont with the ball and a just three-point deficit. But Denzel Douglas stole a pass with 10 seconds left, was fouled and made 1 of 2 with 8.2 seconds remaining to virtually seal the win.

Charleston travels to Shepherdstown Sunday to take on the Rams in another MEC contest with tip set for 4:00.