Bluefield, W. Va – The Golden Eagles continue to roll in their lengthy away-series stretch as we get closer and closer to the holidays. This matchup entailed a battle with the Bluefield State Big Blue inside the Ned E. Shott Gymnasium. After winning their first five of the season, the Big Blue were in need of a win to get back on the right track as they had lost four of their last five games. 
 
The Basics
Location: Ned E. Shott Gymnasium
Score: UC 80, BSU 60
Records: UC (8-2-2, 5-1 MEC), BSU (6-5, 0-0 DII Independent)
 
How it Happened
The Golden Eagles would open up play with a long 9-0 run led by Trinity Palacio with two close-range shots. Despite Bluefield State finding their first points of the game, Dakota Reeves managed to spread the lead even further as she sank home a pair of shots from beyond the arc to take an 18-3 lead with 3:51 remaining in the first quarter. She would proceed to match her pair of triples with another round of three-pointers towards the end of the quarter and extend the lead to 26-7. Clarissa Francis' two shots at the line would give Charleston a 28-9 lead heading into the second quarter. 
 
It almost seemed as if the Golden Eagles couldn't miss. In the second quarter, they would shoot 66% (8-12) from the field and add on an Abby Lee three-pointer to their tally. Bluefield State began to rally back, but their 16 points in the second quarter were not enough to overcome the large deficit from the first period. After Palacio's jumper in the final seconds of the quarter, Charleston would trot into the locker room with a 46-25 lead over the Big Blue. 
 
The two teams would go shot for shot to open up the second half. After Markyia McCormick scored the first points with a layup under the basket, Reeves decided that three-pointers come best in pairs and added two more to the scoreboard to maintain their 54-32 lead with 6:58 remaining. Clarrissa Francis would connect on two layups from underneath towards the final stages of the quarter, but Palacio would have the final laugh with a good jumper to take the 64-45 lead into the final quarter. 
 
The Golden Eagles would go on to add 16 more points to their total shooting 46% (6-13) from the field compared to the Big Blue's 15 tallies in the fourth quarter. Charleston would take home the non-conference victory with a final score of 80-60 over Bluefield State. This would mark head coach Tianni Kelly's 50^th win at the University of Charleston. 
 
Up Next
On Saturday, Charleston will continue their long stretch of away games as they travel to take on the Salem University Tigers on December 17^th at 2:00 PM.