CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Charleston held the #1 ranked Hilltoppers to their lowest point total of the season but couldn't pull off the upset of the nation's top team, falling 78-63 Wednesday evening at the Charleston Civic Center. 
 
The Golden Eagle defense did its job to give themselves a chance to knock off West Liberty by limiting the Hilltoppers to 59 field goal attempts and under 50% shooting from the floor, including just 32% from behind the arc.  UC's offense handled the 90 feet of pressure that the Toppers put you under pretty well, turning the ball over only 10 times but just didn't shoot the ball well enough to come out on top. 
 
Charleston, which trailed by as many as 20 points in the first half, cut the lead to eight with 6:40 left in the contest after Travon Williams converted on three free throws making it 63-55 and perhaps a upset was in the making.  Last season's Division II Player of the Year, Seger Bonifant, responded on the next two Topper possessions, canning a three and scoring a layup to push the lead back to 13.
 
UC's upset attempt came to a halt, as the Toppers outscored the Golden Eagles 15-8 over the final six and a half minutes to keep their unbeaten record intact.
 
Things don't get any easier for the Golden Eagles as they welcome the #5 ranked Fairmont State University Falcons to town Sunday afternoon.  Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center.