CHARLESTON, WV. – A strong second half surge sent the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats (4-17, 4-11 MEC) to a 70-67 victory over The University of Charleston Golden Eagles (12-9, 8-7 MEC) in Thursday night MEC action.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE –Charleston 67, WVWC 70
LOCATION – Charleston, WV
RECORDS – Charleston (12-9, 8-7 MEC); Bobcats (4-17, 4-11 MEC)
How it Happened
The Bobcats came out strong to stay with the Golden Eagles. Charleston posted a 14-13 lead with just over nine minutes to play in the first half. The Bobcats took the lead with 6:50 to play after a miss communication on the Golden Eagles defense. The Bobcats held a two-point lead over the Golden Eagles with 4:33 to play in the first half. The Bobcats shot a solid 45 percent from the field in the first half, and held the Golden Eagles to a mere 28 percent. Justus Stanback tied the game up for the Golden Eagles with just over three minutes to play with a score of 21-21. The Golden Eagles took the lead with a three by Ke'Andre Gibson.
The Golden Eagles maintained their lead through the final minutes of the second half to go into the locker room with a 29-26 lead over West Virginia Wesleyan. After seven minutes of play in the first half led by Austin Howard and Lamont McManus the Golden Eagles led WVWC 44-39. The Golden Eagles shooting improved in the second half with 41 percent from the field to hold a three-point lead over the Bobcats.
With 5:00 remaining in regulation the Golden Eagles held on to their two-point lead over West Virginia Wesleyan. The Golden Eagles took a four-point lead after Keir Anderson slammed a ball down on a fast break, but WVWC answered with a three pointer on the next possession to shrink the Charleston lead to just one point. The Bobcats tied the game up 60-60 with 2:30 to play only to take the three-point lead on the next possession with a three pointer by Dusan Vicentic.
With less than a minute to go the Golden Eagles trailed 60-65. Riley Heatherington brought the score within one with a three-point play with 20 seconds to go. The Bobcats led 65-64. Keir Anderson sunk a three ball with 10 seconds to play to tie the game up 67-67. With just two seconds on the clock Luka Petrovic hit a three pointer to give the Bobcats the 70-67 lead over Charleston. The Bobcats outscored the Golden Eagles 44-38 in the second half to claim the 70-67 victory.
Charleston Individual Leaders
The Golden Eagles were led by Austin Howard with 16 points while Keir Anderson tallied 11 points in the loss.
Bobcats Individual Leaders
Dusan Vicentic led WVWC with 22 points. Luka Petrovic and Kam Cooper dominated the paint with seven rebounds each.
Up Next
Charleston will travel to Glenville, WV to face the Pioneers on Saturday afternoon. Tip off is set for 4:00 p.m.
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