CHARLESTON, W.Va. – When the University of Charleston men's basketball team showed up to the last basketball game ever to be played in Eddie King Gym, they did it with a purpose -- to "Close the King" victorious.  And they did just that with a blowout 87-71 victory of cross-town rival West Virginia State.
 
Despite four Yellow Jackets finishing the contest in double-digits, led by Damion Harris with 19 points and seven rebounds, Charleston had the answers.  Whether it was slam-dunks by Deandre Leatherwood or three-point baskets by Octavius Green, UC had the answer. 
 
Charleston only saw itself trail once and that was at 19:07 remaining in the first half.  From there, it controlled the tempo and executed efficiently, shooting 51 percent from the field and 43 percent from behind the arch.  Nineteen of the 29 baskets were assisted, led by Cameron Dozier with six assists and seven points. 
 
UC had six players in double-digits, led by Green with 19 points, who connected on five threes and added eight rebounds. Fellow seniors Chris Evans and Vincent Dillard each added 12 points and four assists in their final regular season game.  Juniors Aleksander Kesic and Tino DiTrapano chipped in with 11 points while Kesic added nine rebounds.  Leatherwood finished the night with 10 points in just 13 minutes.
 
With the third straight win, the Golden Eagles rebounded to finish fourth in the Mountain East Conference standings and secure a first-round bye in next week's MEC Tournament.  The top four seeds receive byes and advance to the Civic Center while the remaining eight teams play first round matchups.  UC will play the winner of the Glenville State and the U. Va.-Wise matchup at 8:15 p.m. Friday, March 6.