If the University of Charleston men's basketball team hoped to make a statement on opening night of conference play, then mission accomplished.  From the opening tip, there was never a question of who was in control as the host dominated visiting Concord University, 94-74. 

On the game's first possession, Charleston missed two three-point shots but rebounded both before the third time was a charm as Eddie Colbert converted from long distance to make it 3-0.  They Golden Eagles would open up a 16-6 lead, anchored behind eight points from Lamont McManus, as the teams headed into the under 15 media timeout.  Both teams battled back and forth for majority of the next five minutes as Charleston held to a 27-18 lead.  A Kobey Lam, Keith Williams, and two Isaiah Gable baskets would help UC use another 9-0 run as they stretched their lead on the Mountain Lions to 38-21. The Golden Eagles would push their lead to as large as 23 in the first half at 51-28 with 2:37 to play.  Concord would finish the half with eight straight points to try to give themselves any hope as the teams headed to intermission at 51-36.

The second half saw Concord try to fight back into it as they would get as close as nine at 77-65 with 7:35 to play. But UC would have none of it as they closed out the game strong, going on to win by a final score of 94-74.

Charleston, who never trailed in the contest, converted 55.4% of their shots while holding Concord to a meager 39.1%.  UC totally dominated inside by outscoring Concord 44-18 in the paint and outrebounding the Mountain Lions, 38-29. The Golden Eagles also had 18 assists and eight turnovers compared to eight assists and 12 turnovers for Concord. 

Individually, Eddie Colbert led five players in double figures as he posted 21 points along with a team high eight rebounds.  Lamont McManus posted an efficient 16 points to support Colbert.  Keith Williams and Tyler Eberhart each posted 14 points while Isaiah Gable rounded out the double digit scoring for UC with 10 points.

Charleston moves to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Mountain East Conference play.  Concord falls to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in Mountain East Conference play.

UC will travel to face Glenville State on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 before celebrating the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.