CHARLESTON, W. Va.  – The University of Charleston Golden Eagles Women's Basketball team (13-0, 13-0 MEC) defeated the Senators of Davis & Elkins on Wednesday evening by a score of 86-80 at the Wehrle Innovation Center. The Golden Eagles were led offensively by Brooklyn Pannell who scored 26 points while collecting four rebounds, three assists, and three steals to go along with that.

JUST THE BASICS
SCORE: Charleston 86, Davis & Elkins 80
LOCATION: Charleston, W. Va.
TEAM RECORDS: Golden Eagles (13-0, 13-0 MEC), Senators (2-10, 2-10 MEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Anastasiia Zakharova scored the opening bucket of the contest just six seconds in, it took no time for Davis and Elkins to respond with a basket of their own. The first quarter was a tightly contested one as the Senators played in desperation for a MEC tournament bid. No team could get away with a lead as there were 12 lead changes and five ties in the first period. Going into the second quarter, Charleston was up by two points, 20-22. Both teams shot nearly 50% from the field in the first quarter Charleston 8-of-17 (47.7%), Davis & Elkins 8-of-16 (50%).

Charleston seemed to find a better rhythm in the second quarter as they went on a 9-0 run to open the quarter. The lead grew to ten at a point in the quarter, but that did not alter Davis & Elkins' focus as they fought back in the game. Charleston led 45-42 going into the half.

For the half, the Golden Eagles were 17-of-34 (50%) while D&E was 16-of-33 (48%) from the floor.

Opening the third quarter, Dakota Reeves hit a three-pointer to push the Golden Eagles lead to six (48-42). The Golden Eagles seemed to control the 3^rd quarter, but Davis and Elkins refused to go away. The score was 64-72 to end the third as D&E was set to make a final push in going into the 4^th quarter.

Charleston was able to retain the lead in the 4^th quarter to get the win. The Lady Golden Eagles dominated in transition as they scored 20 fast-break points to Davis & Elkins zero. Pannell led all scorers with 26 points.
 
Charleston Leaders (32-of-69; 46.4 percent from the field)
Brooklyn Pannell – 26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
Erykah Russell – 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks
Trinity Palacio – 13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
 
 
Davis & Elkins Leaders (30-of-66; 45.5 percent from the field)
Allie Taylor – 22 points, 8 rebounds
Jamiyah Johnson – 22 points, 10 rebounds
Jessica Eadsford Yates – 16 points, 5 rebounds
 
UP NEXT:
The Golden Eagles will hit the road on Saturday afternoon to take on the Mountain Lions of Concord University with tip scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on the campus of Concord.