ATHENS, W.Va. -- The University of Charleston men's basketball team opened the season with a pair of wins in the MEC/CIAA Tip Off hosted by Concord University, defeating Winston-Salem State University on Friday then followed with a win over Fayetteville State University on Saturday.

UC started the weekend with a 70-57 victory over WSSU on Friday afternoon, led by Keir Anderson's 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting.  Justin Coleman turned in a double-double in his season debut, scoring 14 points and pulling down 12 rebounds.  Charleston held the Rams to just 32% shooting from the floor and outscored Winston-Salem 34 to 24 in the paint.

The Golden Eagles followed with an 80-72 win over Fayetteville State in their second and final game of the MEC/CIAA Tip Off.  Elliott Cole, a senior transfer from Chicago State, poured in 24 points to pace the Golden Eagles in the win while Keir Anderson again scored in double-figures with 14 points.  Charleston struggled from the floor in the first half against the Broncos shooting only 29%, but rebounded in the second when it mattered to connect on 15 of their 30 attempts in the final 20 minutes.

UC returns to the court next Saturday to host UVa.-Wise in their Mountain East Conference opener.  Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. at the CCHS Athletic Complex.