SHEPERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Jevonte Hughes scored a game-high 18 points to lead University of Charleston to a 71-54 win over Shepherd University in Mountain East Conference play on Thursday night.
 
Hughes was 7-9 from the field and 4-5 from the free throw line. Cameron Dozier added 13 points, while Octavius Green had eight points and nine rebounds for the Golden Eagles.
 
The Golden Eagles took a 32-28 lead into the half time break, and then opened the second half with a 13-6 run. A jumper by Hughes with 13:27 remaining put the Golden Eagles' up 45-34, and the Rams were unable to recover.
 
Charleston outshot Shepherd on the night, hitting 47.1 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from beyond the arc, while Shepherd hit 45.7 percent and 33.3 percent, respectively.
 
Austin Cunningham led the Rams with a team-high 15 points, and Morgan McDonald added 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
 
With the win, Charleston improves to 14-5 overall, 9-4 in MEC play, while Shepherd falls to 11-8, 6-7. Charleston returns home on Saturday, Jan. 31, to host West Liberty University at 4 p.m.