Charleston, W. Va – In a rematch of last year's Division II Atlantic Regional Final, the Golden Eagles faced the Glenville State Pioneers in the Wehrle Innovation Center. The Pioneers came into this one undefeated while Charleston looked to keep their conference record clean of losses. 
 
The Basics
Location: Wehrle Innovation Center
Score: UC 79, GSU 70
Records: UC (4-1, 2-0 MEC), GSU (3-1, 1-1 MEC) 
 
How it Happened
These two squads are very familiar with one another. In Glenville State's previous run for the national title, the Golden Eagles stole the Mountain East Conference Tournament title from them just before regional play began. It would be an understatement to say that the players had a chip in their shoulder on Tuesday. 
 
After Markyia McCormick opened up the scoring with a three-pointer for the Golden Eagles, the substitution frenzy was underway for both sides. With a very fascinating strategy, Glenville State uses as many of their players as they possibly can in an attempt to have fresh legs on the court continuously for the entire game. Despite the subbing, the Golden Eagles managed to get out to a 8-2 lead within two minutes of the game with a Dakota Reeves triple and a short jumper from McCormick. Charleston not only maintained the lead for the duration of the first period, but they extended the margin to 15 points. They shot an incredible 62% (5-8) from three-point land and 57% (8-14) from the field, not to mention the 100% (8-8) from the line. Charleston held a 29-14 lead going into the second period. 
 
Not many points were scored in the second quarter, but the Pioneers would slowly crawl back to within single digits on the scoreboard with a 12-2 run midway through the period. Glenville State managed to score 19 points compared to Charleston's 12, but the Golden Eagles would answer just before the halftime horn with two consecutive triples from Reeves and Abby Lee. This would give Charleston a 41-33 lead heading into the locker room. 
 
The Pioneers came into the third quarter shooting very well from the field, but they were unable to capitalize from beyond the arc. Charleston used this as an opportunity to put on a three-point party and maintain their lead, as three of their first four buckets came from long range. Glenville State continued to put on a nightmare for the scorer's table and send in their substitutes at every horn, but the Golden Eagles held their own and a held a consistent lead over the Pioneers as they took a 62-56 lead into the fourth quarter. 
 
When the whistle was blown for the first inbound pass of the final period, Trinity Palacio turned on the jets. The first 10 points for the Golden Eagles came from the Virginia native as she knocked home two jumpers, four free throws and a layup to begin the quarter. Glenville State brought the deficit to just two with Tor'e Alford's three pointer with 4:56 remaining in the game. Maggie Stephenson would put up a pair of well-earned layups underneath the basket to cushion the lead. As the Pioneers began to foul with time running out, Camryn Nadir and McCormick would put the game to rest with their free throws and Charleston would take a 79-70 victory over the defending national champions. 
 
Up Next
After a postponement of a matchup with UVA-Wise, Charleston's next game will take place in the Joe Retton Arena in Fairmont, WV as they'll take on the Fighting Falcons of Fairmont State. Tipoff is set for November 30^th (Wed) at 5:30 PM.