WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. – After falling early to the Cal. Pa. Vulcans, the Golden Eagles came away from the MEC/PSAC Crossover tournament with a 1-1 record to open up the 2019 season. The Golden Eagles downed the Mercyhurst Lakers 72-57.
 
JUST THE BASICS
SCORE:  Charleston 72, Lakers 57
LOCATION: West Liberty, W. Va.
TEAM RECORDS: Charleston (1-1), Mercyhurst (0-2)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The score bounced back-and-forth for the first quarter as the Lakers took the initial lead. The Golden Eagles finished the first quarter with the 12-11 lead after a jumper my newcomer, Taliyah Hopkins.
 
The Lakers took the 13-12 lead early in the second, but the Golden Eagles quickly answered. Just as in the first quarter the score remained close until the Lakers tied it up 16-16 with 6:51 to play in the half. Charleston surged on offense not letting the lead go, and the Golden Eagles went into the break with a 34-28 lead over Mercyhurst.
 
The Golden Eagles went 13-32 in the half, going 40.6 percent from the field.
 
Charleston came out swinging after the break maintain their lead to finish the third period with an eight-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
 
The Lakers brought the score within just four points of UC midway through the fourth quarter, but Charleston would heat up again for the final five minutes, downing Mercyhurst 72-57, improving to 1-1 to start the year.
 
GAME LEADERS:
Charleston (25-55, 45.5 percent from the field)
Anna Hayton -- 24 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist
Erykah Russell -- 16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assist
Emily Simon – 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists


Lakers (23-62, 37.1 percent from the field)
Amber Renz – 13 points, 2 rebounds
Lauren Lapertosa – 9 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
 
Up Next:
The Golden Eagles will return to the Wehrle Innovation Center Arena to face Ohio Dominican at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.