CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Charleston picked up a big Mountain East Conference win Wednesday evening in the Wehrle Athletic Arena, defeating the visiting Cavaliers from UVa.-Wise 61-46 to secure a spot in next week's MEC Basketball Tournament at the Charleston Civic Center.

Just the Basics


SCORE          
Charleston 61, UVa.-Wise 46
 
TEAM RECORDS
Charleston (12-15, 8-13)
UVa.-Wise (6-20, 5-16)

How it Happened
Charleston used a strong first 10 minutes to take a 19-10 lead over Wise, led by 10 points by freshman Brooklyn Pannell who drained a pair of triples for the Golden Eagles.  The Cavaliers entered the second quarter with renewed energy, eventually tying the Golden Eagles at 25-25 late in the period before UC ended the 10-minute span with a Marissa Koob jumper to carry a 27-25 advantage into the break.
 
UC put together a solid third quarter to take a six-point lead into the final 10 minutes.  Holding a narrow 36-33 advantage late in the period, Octavia Loll found a wide open Marissa Koob for a corner three that put Charleston ahead by the six-point margin.  Three straight three's by Wise's Judy Cummings kept the Cavaliers in the contest, trimming the Golden Eagle lead to 46-44 after four minutes played in the quarter.
 
Loll had the answer for UC, getting layups in the paint to again extend Charleston's lead to six, 50-44, at the midway point of the final 10 minutes.  The Golden Eagles went on to score 11 of the next 13 points and cruise to the 61-46 victory over the visiting Cavaliers. 
 
 
UC Game Leaders
 
Points – Abby Watson (22), Brooklyn Pannell (19)
Rebounds – Watson (10)
Assists – Octavia Loll (6)
Blocks – Aloneet Durden (1), Dionna Sanders (1)
Steals –Pannell (4)

Up Next
- Charleston returns to the court on Saturday, February 24 to host West Virginia State University.  Tip-off with the Yellow Jackets is set for 2:00 p.m.