CHARLETON, W. Va.  – The University of Charleston Golden Eagles Women's Basketball team (21-5, 16-4 MEC) took home an 87-70 win over the Urbana Blue Knights (21-5, 15-4 in MEC play Saturday afternoon.

JUST THE BASICS
SCORE:  Charleston 87, Urbana 70
LOCATION: Charleston, W. Va. – Wehrle Innovation Center Arena
TEAM RECORDS: Golden Eagles (21-5, 16-4 MEC), Falcons (16-10, 12-8 MEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Junior Erykah Russel  led the effort for Charleston, finishing the day with 22 points and seven rebounds. Senior Taliyah Hopkins  was also in double digits with 19 points. 

Tyra James led the Blue Knights with 22 points.  

The Golden Eagles scored on their first three possessions to jump out to a 8-0 lead. The Golden Eagles continued to lead through the first frame. A layup from Taliyah Hopkinsput the Golden Eagles up 18-12 with 4:45 to go.  Hopkins netted 10 of her 22 points in the first quarter, giving the Golden Eagles a 21-26 lead heading into the second period.
 
The Golden Eagles continued to control the offense to start the second quarter, extending their lead to 32-21 on a layup from Taliyah Hopkins. Russell netted the next three points, scoring on back-to-back possessions to put UC up 36-23 with 7:16 remaining in the half.  Kami Mceldowney broke the slump for Urbana scoring their first bucket of the second quarter at the half-way mark. Hopkins scored three of the Golden Eagles next four buckets to send the birds into the locker room with a 48-30 lead over the Blue Knights.  
 
The Golden Eagles struggled offensively to start the second half, but freshman guard Taliyah Hopkins knocked down back-to-back three nearly two minutes into the quarter, bringing the score to 54-34 in favor of the Golden Eagles. Urbana had not scored since the opening bucket of the half, until Bailey Draughn found the net at the 6:03 mark. Reeves answered again for Charleston with a three-pointer giving Charleston the 28-point advantage.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Tyra James and Kasey Knippen combined for four points for the Blue Knights, but the Golden Eagles answered scoring on back-to-back possessions. The Golden Eagles stayed the course as they sealed the 87-70 win on a free-throw from Megan Haines with :07 to play.
 

Charleston Leaders (36-68 52.9 percent from the field)
Erykah Russell – 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
Taliyah Hopkins – 19 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists
Anna Hayton – 19 points, 6 rebounds,


Falcon Leaders (28-53, 52.8 percent from the field)
Tyra James – 22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
Sylvia Hudson – 17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Bailey Draughn – 12 points, 4 rebounds 1 assist  

Up Next:
The Golden Eagles will hit the road to face the Glenville State Pioneers at the Waco Center on Wednesday night. Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m.