WHEELING, W. Va.  – The University of Charleston Golden Eagles are moving on to the MEC Semi-finals on Saturday after defeating the Wheeling University Cardinals in the Mountain East Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Friday night.  

JUST THE BASICS 
Location: Wheeling, W. Va.  
Score: Charleston: 86,  Wheeling University 49 
Records: Golden Eagles: (14-2), Cardinals: (6-12) 

HOW IT HAPPENED 
Wheeling found the bucket first, but the Golden Eagles took off on a 17-3 run to take a 25-11 lead over the Cardinals with just under 10 minutes to play in the first half. Over the next three minutes the Cardinals scored on three straight possessions to cut the Golden Eagles lead to just 10 points.  

At the under-five media timeout, the Golden Eagles held a 31-19 lead over Wheeling, led by senior forward Lamont McManus with 8 points. The Golden Eagles offense remained balanced throughout the half, with no scorers in double figures UC maintained a 41-25 lead over Wheeling.  

Charleston went 18-35 from the field in the first frame, holding the Cardinals to 36.4 percent shooting.  

The Golden Eagles opened the second half with a 12-0 run to take the 53-26 lead with 16:37 to play in the contest. At the under-15 media the Golden Eagles posted a 57-28 lead over the opposition.  

Charleston continued to control the contest with a few 79-43 lead with just over five minutes to play.  

The Golden Eagles extended their lead to 29 with four minutes to play and clung to an 86-49 victory over Wheeling University to advance to the MEC Tournament Semifinals on Saturday.  

UC Leaders 
Lamont McManus – 14 points 2 rebounds 
Seth O'Neal - 12 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists 
Shunta Wilson – 11 points, 10 rebounds, 1 block  

Wheeling Leaders  
Reid – 14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist 
Haines – 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist  
Price – 8 points, 7 rebounds 1 assist 

 
UP NEXT 
The Golden Eagles are set to play the winner West Virginia State vs. Fairmont State at 5:00 p.m.  

--UC--