CHARLESTON, W.Va. – UC Men's Basketball is playing their best hoops of the season heading into the MEC Tournament after pummeling their Kanawha Valley rival West Virginia State University by 35 points, 102-67, Saturday afternoon at the Charleston Civic Center on Senior Day.
 
It marks the second consecutive game that Charleston has won by 30+ points after handing out a 92-62 beating of Concord just two days ago. 
 
UC's senior trio of Tino diTrapano, Aleks Kesic and Jevonte Hughes led the Golden Eagle attack after getting honored prior to the game for their spectacular Charleston careers.  diTrapano set a career-high in made three's with six on his way to a 25-point, six assist performance.  Hughes turned in a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Kesic chipped in 18 points and five rebounds in the blowout victory.
 
UC dominated the Jackets from the outset, jumping out to a 17-2 lead in the opening five minutes of the game.  Charleston never looked back, holding a 16-point, 45-29 lead at the break and built on that throughout the second half.  Markee Mazyck was the lone bright spot for WVSU, scoring a game-high 37 points but was the only Jacket in double figures.  Charleston shot a staggering 62% from the field in the second half, scoring 57 points on their way to the 35-point win.
 
Charleston (15-13, 12-10) finishes the MEC regular season in 5^th place and earned a right to host a MEC First Round game where they will welcome in Urbana (2-25, 1-21) on Tuesday, March 1^st at the Charleston Catholic Athletic Complex.  Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. with the Blue Knights.