Box Score WHEELING, W. Va. – The University of Charleston Golden Eagles women's basketball team are heading to their second MEC Championship in three seasons, after defeating the Wheeling University Cardinals 71-55 in the Mountain East Conference Tournament Semi-finals on Saturday afternoon. Charleston's efforts were led by Sophomore guard, Dakota Reeves and Senior forward Anastasiia Zakharova who combined for 30 points for the Golden Eagles.
JUST THE BASICS
Location: Wheeling, W. Va.
Score: Charleston: 71 , Wheeling University 55
Records: Golden Eagles: (18-2), Cardinals: (9-9)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Brooklyn Pannell set the tone early knocking down a three for the Golden Eagles first bucket of the contest, but the Cardinals scored on back-to-back possessions to take the 6-3 lead before Anastasiia Zakharova scored on a fast break to bring UC within one.
The Cardinals pushed to 16-11 lead with 1:04 to play in the first quarter, but Erykah Russell completed the 3-point play from the stripe to bring the Golden Eagles within one with less than a minute to play in the first frame. The Cardinals came away with the 18-15 lead after the first.
The Cardinals held their lead as the second quarter got underway, but Charleston was never far behind, with a score of 24-23 with just over five minutes to play in the in the quarter. Anna Cardwell tied the game up for the Golden Eagles converting 1-2 from the line, however the Cardinals took back the 26-24 lead on the next possession with a layup from Calhoun.
With 2:12 to play Dakota Reeves knocked down a pair of free throws to bring the score to 29-27 in favor of Wheeling. The second quarter came to a close as the Golden Eagles face a six-point deficit heading into the break.
The Golden Eagles went on a 7-3 run to start the second half, tying the game up at 37-all with just six minutes to play in the quarter. Charleston took just their second lead of the game with a three from Dakota Reeves to bring the score to 42-39. Charleston took off on an 11-1 run over the next three minutes to gain the 48-40 advantage. Zakharova leading the charge with nine points in the contest. After Reeves knocked down a pair from the stripe, Charleston headed into the final quarter with a 12-point lead over Wheeling.
Charleston continued to push through the opening minutes of the final quarter, taking a 17-point lead on a three from Reeves. Charleston's offense surged, while also holding the Cardinals scoreless for seven straight minutes to go up 60-40 with 5:27 to play in the final quarter. The Charleston defense
Charleston held their advantage through the final minutes of the fourth quarter to come away with the
Charleston will advance to their second MEC Championship in three seasons.
UC Leaders
Anastasiia Zakharova – 15 points, 4 rebounds
Dakota reeves – 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Erykah Russell – 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Wheeling Leaders
Lilly Ritz - 12 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist
Jacqui Hinesmon – 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Alysa Edwards-Frick – 8 points, 2 rebounds
UP NEXT
Charleston will face the winner of Notre Dame vs. Glenville State on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
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