CHARLESTON, W. Va.  – The University of Charleston Golden Eagles Women's Basketball team (22-6, 17-5 MEC) closed out the regular season with a 98-75 win over crosstown rival West Virginia State on Saturday at the Wehlre Innovation Center. The Golden Eagles were led offensively by Anna Hayton, who finished up her senior campaign with 29 points and 13 rebounds. In the contest, junior guard Brooklyn Pannell reached 1,000 career points as a Golden Eagle.

JUST THE BASICS
SCORE:  Charleston 98, West Virginia State 75
LOCATION: Charleston, W. Va. – Wehrle Innovation Center
TEAM RECORDS: Golden Eagles (22-6, 17-5 MEC), Yellow Jackets (9-19, 7-14 MEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
It took the Golden Eagles just over two minutes and a 7-0 lead before West Virginia State was able to score their first bucket of the game. Just over four minutes later, the Charleston lead would be extended to 15 on a made bucket from Hayton that put the Golden Eagles ahead 22-7. The Yellow Jackets and Golden Eagles would close out the opening quarter exchanging baskets with the home team carrying a 28-13 lead at the end of the quarter.
 
The second quarter saw the Golden Eagle lead jump to 21 as a shot from Taliyah Hopkins saw Charleston leading 45-24 with 5:17 remaining in the opening half. To close out the quarter, Charleston led by as many as 25 and took a 59-37 lead into the locker room.
 
The third quarter saw the Golden Eagles hold on to their commanding lead before the final minutes of the quarter saw the Yellow Jackets cut the UC lead to 14 before a successful three-point attempt from Dakota Reeves put Charleston ahead 79-62 headed into the final quarter.
 
In the 4^th quarter, Pannell reached her 1,000^th point at UC on a made three-point attempt that put the Golden Eagles ahead 84-63 with 6:50 left in the game. Charleston then went on to finish out the closing minutes of the contest to secure a 98-75 win headed into the MEC Tournament in Wheeling next week.
 
For the game, the Golden Eagles forced 18 Yellow Jacket turnover and outscored the opposition 28-16 in points off turnovers.

Charleston Leaders (35-71, 49.3 percent from the field)
Anna Hayton – 29 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists
Brooklyn Pannell – 18 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds
Erykah Russell – 21 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds
Dakota Reeves – 17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist


Yellow Jacket Leaders (26-of-65, 40.0 percent from the field)
Destiny Fields – 16 points, 3 rebounds
Charity Shears – 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist

Up Next:
The Golden Eagles will head into the Mountain East Conference Tournament next week with date, time, and opponent to still be determined.