Box Score CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The Becky Burke era of University of Charleston women's basketball started with a convincing 31-point, 89-58, victory over Mercyhurst University in the MEC/PSAC Conference Challenge on Saturday evening.

Just the Basics


SCORE          
Charleston 89, Mercyhurst 58
 
TEAM RECORDS 
Charleston (1-0, 0-0)
Mercyhurst (0-1, 0-1)

How it Happened
A nervous start to the 2018-19 Golden Eagle season saw Charleston fall behind the Lakers early on to trail 7-3 after the first three minutes of the opening quarter. UC settled in quickly though, outscoring Mercyhurst 18 to eight over the final seven minutes of the first quarter led by Brooklyn Pannell and Anna Hayton's six points each to hold a 21-15 advantage heading to the second.
 
Charleston built on their six-point lead at the break, extending it to as many as 13 points, 33-20, after newcomer Raziyah Farrington made a jump shot on an assist from another new Golden Eagle Gracie Roberts. UC kept the pressure on the Lakers through the first 20 minutes of play, forcing Mercyhurst into 12 miscues which led to 15 Golden Eagle points.  At the end of two quarters Charleston held a 12-point, 38-26, lead over Mercyhurst.
 
A quick start to the third quarter for the Golden Eagles push their lead out to 21 points, 51-30, following a jumper by senior Dionna Sanders as UC started the quarter on a 13-4 run.  Charleston kept the pedal down against the Lakers through the quarter to carry a 25-point, 67-42, lead into the final frame.  
 
With the big lead entering the fourth quarter Coach Burke was able to get a look at 12 Golden Eagles and give her regulars a rest heading into Sunday afternoon's matchup with the Vulcans from Cal.-Pa.  Charleston's level of intensity didn't drop over the final 10 minutes as UC easily wrapped up an 89-58 win in their 2018-19 season opener.

 
UC Game Leaders
 
Points – Brooklyn Pannell (17), Raziyah Farrington (15), Anna Hayton (15)
Rebounds – Hayton (7), Dionna Sanders (6), Farrington (5)
Assists – Gracie Roberts (8)
Blocks – Farrington (1), Sanders (1)
Steals – Pannell (5), Roberts (2), Berta Torroella (2)

Up Next
- Charleston returns to the court Sunday afternoon to play California University of Pennsylvania in their second game of the MEC/PSAC Conference Challenge.  Tip-off with the hosts is set for 3:00 p.m. in the Cal-U Convocation Center.
 
--UC--