PHILIPPI, W. Va. – The University of Charleston Golden Eagles Men's Basketball team (9-2, 4-2 MEC) defeated the Battlers of Alderson Broaddus in their final game before the holiday recess by a score of 87-77 on Thursday evening. The Golden Eagles were led offensively by Drew Rackley who finished the with 25 points, three rebounds, and four assists. Per usual, the Golden Eagles showed their depth on the offensive end as four Golden Eagles finished the game in double-digit scoring figures, including a 16-point, 13-rebound performance from Lamont McManus who finished the contest with a career-high in rebounds. The 9-2 start for the Golden Eagles matches the best 11-game start during the Dwaine Osborne led era.

JUST THE BASICS

SCORE: Charleston 87, Alderson Broaddus 77
LOCATION: Philippi, W. Va.
TEAM RECORDS: Charleston (9-2, 4-2 MEC), Alderson Broaddus (1-10, 0-3 G-MAC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

Unlike their most recent matchup against Wheeling where the Golden Eagles led 14-2 to begin the contest, Alderson Broaddus took a commanding 11-1 lead from the start as the Battlers did not allow UC to convert on a field goal through the first five minutes of the contest. Charleston was then able to put together a 10-2 run of their own, bringing the score to 13-11 with 13:02 remaining in the half before taking their first lead of the game with 8:38 remaining in the opening frame. Once holding a 24-22 lead, the Golden Eagles never looked back and carried a four-point lead into the break.
 
The Golden Eagles shot 53.1% in the opening half on 17-of-32 shooting while the Battlers converted 16-of-29 attempts, good for 55.2%. McManus led the way for the Golden Eagles, just two rebound shy of a double-double while pouring in 10 points from the floor. In addition, Rackley contributed 13 points while converting on 3-of-6 attempts from behind the arc in the opening half.
 
In a game the consisted of many runs, Charleston was able to extend their lead to 13 points by beginning the second half on a 10-1 run. The Battlers were able to cut the UC lead down to as little as six with under a minute left in the contest, but UC prevailed in the end, making six straight free throws to end the contest while finishing 13-of-19 from the charity stripe for the contest.

Charleston Leaders (33-62, 53.2 percent from the field)
Drew Rackley– 25 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists
Devon Robinson – 18 points, 8 rebounds
Lamont McManus – 16 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists
Seth O'Neal- 14 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds

Alderson Broaddus Leaders (30-56, 53.9 percent from the field)
Malik Bocook– 22 points, 2 assists, 9 rebounds
KJ Walker – 14 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds
 
Up Next:
The Golden Eagles will return to action after the holiday break on January 4^th, taking on the Big Blues of Bluefield State in a road contest with tip scheduled for 4:00 p.m.