URBANA, Ohio  – A huge first half run gave the University of Charleston women's basketball team all the breathing room they needed on the road against Urbana University on Thursday night. The visiting Golden Eagles took the crowd out of the equation early and coasted to a 73-58 victory.

After nine minutes of action, Charleston led by only a score of 10-8. That's when the regionally ranked Golden Eagles got to work. Over the final 11 minutes of the first half, UC outscored Urbana 28-6 to take a commanding 38-14 lead into the break. The 14 first half points were a season-low for the Blue Knights.

Although outscored 44-35 in the second half, UC's defensive effort in the first was enough to allow them to win the game comfortably as the 15 point difference at the buzzer would be as close as the Blue Knights would come to Charleston. The Golden Eagles were led in the scoring column by Nichole Perry who finished with 16 points, 11 of those coming in the first half and three made three-pointers.  Monet Saunders was the only other Golden Eagle in double figures, chipping in 11 points to go with her five rebounds.  All 13 players who dress for UC saw action in the win.

Charleston improves to 21-5 with the win, including a league-leading 16-4 mark in the Mountain East Conference. UC concludes the season with two home contests over the next two Saturday's.  In two days time, Charleston host Notre Dame College and looks to avenge a loss to the Falcons earlier this season.  UC finishes the season on February 28th to play host to West Virginia State University in what will be the final women's basketball game in Eddie King Gym history as we "Close the King".  The contest against the Yellow Jackets will also be Senior Day for the five departing Golden Eagle seniors.