WHEELING, W.Va. – Charleston played their first of three consecutive games versus ranked opponents Tuesday evening at Wheeling Jesuit University, taking on the #8 Cardinals.
 
UC controlled the tip and scored the game's opening basket, unfortunately that was the only lead the Golden Eagles would have for the next 40 minutes as Charleston fell to Wheeling Jesuit 94-77 at the McDonough Center.  It marks just the second loss for the Golden Eagles this season as they go to 9-2 overall and 3-2 in MEC play.
 
Charleston would trail by as many as 10 late in the first half but narrowed the deficit to just three, 35-38, after a LeJavius Johnson jumper with a little over three minutes to go in the first half.  Wheeling closed the half a bit stronger than UC to carry an eight-point lead into the break following a Matt Stewart layup in the final few seconds.
 
Charleston couldn't find a way to stop the high-powered Cardinal attack as UC's deficit hovered around 10 for much of the second half before Wheeling blew the game wide open by going an 8-0 run during a three-minute stretch late in the half to put the game out of reach for the Golden Eagles as they fell behind by 17.
 
Charleston returns to the court on Thursday to take on #4 ranked West Liberty.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 from West Liberty.