COLUMBUS, Ohio – The University of Charleston women's basketball team defeated the Tiffin University Dragons in the round of 16 of the NCAA DII Basketball tournament. This will be the first time a Mountain East Conference Women's basketball team has advanced to the Elite Eight, and the first time since 2006 that the Golden Eagles have accomplished the feat.   
 
JUST THE BASICS 
SCORE: Charleston 82, Tiffin 52 
LOCATION: Columbus, Ohio – Greater Columbus Convention Center 
TEAM RECORDS: Golden Eagles (20-2), Tiffin (18-10) 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 
After a scoreless three minutes to start the first quarter, the Dragons found the basket first, but it would be another two minutes before Charleston would find the basket as the score sat at 2-2 with just over five minutes to play in the first quarter. The Dragons scored six unanswered points to take the 11-6 lead over the Golden Eagles, but Dakota Reeves brought Charleston within two with a three at the two-minute mark. On the next possession, Erykah Russell tied the game up for the Golden Eagles with a jumper from the elbow bring the score to 11-11. 

The Golden Eagles came out in the second quarter on a 10-2 run to bring the score to 21-13 with five minutes to play in the half. The Golden Eagles would outscore their opponents 30-7 in the second quarter to take the 24-point lead into the break.  

Coming out of the break Charleston continued to control the game gaining the 28-point advantage midway through the third quarter. The Golden Eagles continued their siege offensively led by senior guard Brooklyn Pannell with 22 in the first three frames. Charleston closed the third with a 64-37 lead over Tiffin.  

The Golden Eagles maintained their lead through the fourth quarter, to take the 82-52 victory, advancing to the Elite Eight in  
 
CHARLESTON  LEADERS: 
Brooklyn Pannell – 27 points, 2 assists, 2 steals 
Erykah Russell – 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists 
Dakota Reeves – 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal  

TIFFIN LEADERS: 
Jada Tate – 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal 
Savana Richards – 9 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist 
Aarion Nichols – 8 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal 

 
UP NEXT: 
The Golden Eagles will await the re-seeding for the Elite Eight. 

--UC--