INSTITUTE, W.Va. – Charleston women's basketball opened the 2016-17 season at the Wingate by Wyndham Conference Challenge hosted by West Virginia State University over weekend, but failed to pick up a victory in their first two contests.  The Golden Eagles dropped a 12-point, 75-63, decision to Kutztown on Saturday then suffered a narrow 84-78 loss to Chowan on Sunday afternoon.
 
UC dug themselves a hole in Saturday's loss to the Golden Bears from Kutztown, trailing by 11 going into the break, before turning up the defensive pressure in the third quarter that limited Kutztown to just six points in the quarter.  The Golden Eagles would trail by only six, 47-41, heading to the final frame but a 28-point outburst by KU was too much for Charleston, resulting in the 12-point loss to start the 2016-17 campaign.
 
UC was led in the scoring column by graduate transfer, Jordyn Peck, who poured in 15 points in her Golden Eagle debut.  Mya Walker nearly turned in a double-double for Charleston, scoring 13 points and pulling down eight rebounds.
 
Charleston returned to the court Sunday looking to pick up win number one on the year but a late comeback attempt came up just short in the six-point, 84-78, defeat to the Chowan Hawks. The Golden Eagles held a first quarter lead, 18-14, but ended up trailing by three going into the half to Chowan.  The Hawks used a strong third quarter to increase their halftime lead to 13, 65-52, only to see Charleston battle its way back in the final 10 minutes.  UC closed within four, 82-78, after an Anna Hayton layup with eight seconds to play.  Chowan sealed the game with a pair of free throws to hand Charleston their second loss to start the season.
 
The same duo of Peck and Walker led the Golden Eagles as Peck led all scorers with 28 points while Walker turned in a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Charleston makes their home debut Thursday evening at the CCHS Athletic Complex, hosting Kentucky State University.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. between the Golden Eagles and the Thorobreds.