BUCKHANNON, W.Va. - Charleston's Kiara Johnson posted a double-double in the Golden Eagles 60-52 win over the West Virginia Wesleyan College Bobcats Thursday evening in the Rockefeller Arena.  

UC's victory is their 17th of the season and improves their Mountain East Conference to 12-4 which puts them in a four-way tie at the top of conference standings.  Johnson paced the Golden Eagles with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Charleston's other post player, Monet Saunders, chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Johnson's 20 points came on 9-for-9 shooting from the floor and 2-for-2 from the free throw line.

The Bobcats had the game's leading scorer in Mari Stewart who finished the game with 23 points and added five rebounds.  Allyson Freiemuth came off the Bobcat bench to score 11 points and pull down eight boards.

Charleston carried a five point lead, 24-19, to halftime before running that lead out to 13 midway through the second half after Padyn Ludewig knocked down a three on an assist from Saunders. Leading 50-37 with 6:50 to play, UC saw the Bobcats go on a 9-0 run and trim the deficit to four at the final media timeout of the contest.  Charleston closed out the contest mainly from the charity stripe and outscored the Bobcats 10 to six over the final four minutes  to come away with the eight-point road win, 60-52.

UC returns to Eddie King Gym Saturday to host the Pioneers from Glenville State with tip set for 2:00 p.m.  Charleston won the earlier matchup between the two teams back in January by 16 points, 73-57.