INSTITUTE, W.Va.  – The University of Charleston Golden Eagles Women's Basketball team (14-2, 14-2 MEC) won their final regular season game in a Saturday afternoon contest against the Yellow Jackets of West Virginia State (8-7, 8-7 MEC) by a score of 92-80 at the Walker Convocation Center. The Golden Eagles were led by Brooklyn Pannell who notched 27 points and 7 rebounds while adding 3 assists. Erykah Russell put together a double-double performance with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
 
JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE:  Charleston 92, West Virginia State 80
LOCATION: Institute, W. Va.
TEAM RECORDS: Charleston (14-2, 14-2 MEC), Yellow Jackets (6-8, 6-8 MEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After Charleston scored the opening basket of the game from a pair free throws from Trinity Palacio, the Yellow Jackets of West Virginia State responded with a three of their own. For the entire first period, State had the game at a pace that they felt comfortable as the Yellow Jackets put up quick shots and played a full-court press to catch the Golden Eagles off guard. The style of play seemed to work, as the Yellow Jackets led 28-20 going into the second quarter. In the first, West Virginia State was 7-of-17 (41.1%) from the field and 5-of-11 (45.5%) from three-point range. UC finished the quarter 9-of-18 (50%) from the floor.

In the second quarter, Charleston seemed to find their footing. They exploited the crevices of the full-court press and capitalized off them. In the second quarter, Charleston scored 27 points to State's 13. They were 11-of-17 (64.7%) from the field while State shot 5-of-17 (29%).

UC gained the lead in the quarter after finding a groove against State's full court press and went into the locker room leading 47-41. Russell (UC) led all scorers going into the half with 20 points while shooting 10-of-12 from the field.

The Golden Eagles maintained their lead through the third quarter as their best quarter of the game allowed them to stretch their lead to 15.

The fourth quarter played evenly with both teams scoring 24 in the period. Charleston cruised to another win to make it their 14^th of the season. Pannell led all scorers in the game with 27 points and 7 rebounds while adding 3 assists. With the win, Charleston claims the MEC South Division under first-year Head Coach Tianni Kelly.
 
 
Charleston Leaders (36-of-77; 46.7 percent from the field)
Brooklyn Pannell – 27 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
Erykah Russell – 23 points, 11 rebounds
 
West Virginia State Leaders (25-of-72; 34.7 percent from the field)
Charity Shears – 14 points, 6 rebounds
Shelby Harmeyer – 14 points, 8 rebounds,
 
UP NEXT:
The Golden Eagles will begin to get ready for the Mountain East Conference tournament that will be held in Wheeling, West Virginia on dates March 4-7.