Box Score CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The University of Charleston advanced to the Mountain East Conference Tournament semifinals after defeating Urbana University 72-64 Thursday afternoon at the Charleston Civic Center.
 
The Golden Eagles got a season best game from KJ Johnson who finished with a double-double, 15 points and 16 rebounds.  Half of her rebounds came on the offensive end that helped lead Charleston to 17 second chance points and 28 points in the paint.  UC outrebounded the Blue Knights 47 to 39 on the afternoon.  Charleston got double figure scoring from Nichole Perry and Chyress Lockhart who finished with 12 and 10 respectively.
 
The Golden Eagles played tremendous defense on Urbana, limiting the Blue Knights to 33% shooting for game including 29% in the decisive second half. 
 
Urbana was led by 1^st Team All-MEC selection Devonyea Johnson who finished with a game-high 20 points on 50% shooting from the field.  Ebany Brumfield chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds for the Blue Knights.
 
A game that was tied 11 times and 31-31 at the half, saw the lead change hands 11 times over the course of the 40 minutes.  Urbana held their last lead at 34-33 at the 18:30 mark of the second half before Charleston took control of the game.  The Golden Eagles built their largest lead of the contest at nine points with 7:22 remaining.  Although Charleston stayed in the lead, Urbana refused to give up as they trimmed the lead to just four, 66-62, after a Johnson three. 
 
Charleston's last field goal of the game with 2:29 to play, but converted on 13 free throw attempts to ice the game down the stretch.  UC finished the contest with 31 makes from the stripe and shot them at a solid 74%.
 
UC faces West Liberty University on Saturday at 12 p.m. in the Mountain East Conference Semifinals.  Charleston has lost both games with the Hilltoppers that were played in the MEC regular season.