INSTITUTE, W.Va. – Charleston's fourth quarter rally gave the Golden Eagles a much needed win and a victory over their Kanawha Valley rival at the Walker Convocation Center Thursday evening by a score of 77-74.
 
The Golden Eagles continued a strategy they employed in their previous game of slowing the game down and using nearly all of the shot clock, having success early by leading the Jackets 7-5 at the first media timeout of the first quarter.  Charleston found themselves in foul trouble late in the quarter as WVSU claimed a three-point lead, 16-13, after the first 10 minutes. 
 
UC's Chyress Lockhart returned to the lineup for Charleston, making an immediate impact by scoring 10 first half points and keeping UC within striking distance.  Charleston trailed by just just one, 32-33, late in the half but an 8-2 Yellow Jacket run gave WVSU a 41-34 advantage going to the break.  The Golden Eagles had a hard time guarding State's Laura Szorenyi who led all scorers with 13 first half points.
 
WVSU jumped out to an 11-point, 45-34, lead early in the third quarter before Charleston rallied to score 13 of the next 15 points, evening the game a 47-47 at the midway point of the quarter.  The Jackets responded to the Golden Eagle rally, closing the quarter strong to hold a seven-point lead, 56-49 heading to the final 10 minutes.
 
Charleston quickly worked their way back into the game on some timely buckets by Abby Watson and Kiara Johnson, drawing within one, 63-64, with under five minute to play.  Lockhart nailed a three on UC's next possession that put the Golden Eagles on top with 3:52 showing on the clock.  Charleston clung to the lead and built it out to five, 74-69, after Olivia Nicholas calmly sank two free throws with one minute remaining.  The Golden Eagles couldn't put the game away from the line late giving Szorenyi one last chance, but her three at the buzzer hit the back iron and Charleston winning 77-74.