WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – With today's victory of the No. 2 West Liberty Hilltoppers (20-3, 16-2 MEC).  The Golden Eagles (17-7, 12-6 MEC) have knocked off their third top-10 opponent in three seasons, and the fourth in the last six under head coach Dwaine Osborne.  

Just the Basics
SCORE:  Charleston 88, West Liberty 87
TEAM RECORDS:
Charleston (17-7, 12-6 MEC)
West Liberty (20-3, 16-2 MEC)

How it Happened
The Golden Eagles, Drew Rackley who finished with a team high 22 points, buried a 3-pointer with 14 seconds to go to send the game into overtime for UC. This would be the sixth game the Golden Eagles have seen in overtime this season.
 
The Golden Eagles handed the Hilltoppers their third loss of the season, marking the Golden Eagles fourth time knocking off a ranked opponent in the last six years.
 
Charleston went into the break down just one point, but LaMont McManus put  UC on top in the opening possession of the second half.  The Golden Eagles went on a 12-0 run to go up by 13-points after five minutes of play. At 14:38 West Liberty began to chip away at the Golden Eagles lead, bringing the score to 67-65 with just over five minutes to play in regulation.
 
After scoring just five points in the first half, Rackley found his stride scoring 17 points in the second half, going 6-9 from the field with three triples. None impacted the game more than the shot to send the game to overtime with 14 seconds to play.
 
West Liberty had one final opportunity to steal victory, with a last-second shot by Eric Meininger, who finished with 30 points in the Hilltopper effort.
 
LaMont McManus posted his third career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds to go with a team high four assists.  Senior guard Josh Floyd rounded out his 14-point performance with five rebounds and three assists.

The first half was a game of momentum shifts. The Hilltoppers got on the board first with a pull-up jumper by Eric Meininger, but Charleston took the lead back with a jumper by Devon Robinson. Charleston took a six-point lead with 15 minutes to play, but the half would see three other lead changes before the break. Charleston shot 44 percent in the first half going 16-for-36 from the field.
 
 Sophomore point guard Seth O'Neal played a team high 43 minutes, scoring 10 points, and bringing down four rebounds, while freshman guard Keith Williams contributed 13 points in the win.
 
 UC Game Leaders
Points – Drew Rackley (22)
Rebounds – Lamont McManus (11)
Assists – McManus (4)
Blocks – Adam Traore (2)
Steals – Three tied with (2)
 
Up Next
Charleston will play host to Fairmont State on Thursday, February 21. Tip-off is set for 7:30