Institute, W.Va. – The Golden Eagles men's basketball team defeated eleventh ranked West Virginia State in cross-county rivalry match Saturday afternoon.  With the victory Charleston extends their winning streak to nine as well as overtaking West Virginia State in the conference standings.
 
The Basics:
Location: Walker Convocation Center
Score: UC  86, WVSU 83
Records: UC 13-5 (10-2 MEC), WVSU 15-3 (9-3 MEC)
 
How it Happened:
From the first whistle to the final buzzer, Charleston made their presence known in the Walker Convocation Center. The Golden Eagles showed the Yellow Jackets they meant business when they jumped out to an early 9-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game.
 
The Charleston offense continued to explode in the first half, including a twenty-three-point lead at one time. In the last several minutes of the half, West Virginia State made a run and cut the deficit to 16, Charleston leading 47-31 as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
 
Charleston's defense was responsible for 17 defensive rebounds in the first half highlighted by the offenses shooting percentage of 58% from the field.
 
In the opening minutes of the second half West Virginia State was able to close the gap, 51-45, trailing Charleston by six. The following minutes leading up to the under ten media timeout were both teams trading buckets back and forth, Charleston averaging an eight-point lead in that time.
 
Charleston's Eddie Colbert III carried the momentum for the Golden Eagles with two big time three-pointers, Charleston now ahead by 14 with 8:17 left on the clock. In the next 5 minutes both teams traded points back and forth, Charleston remaining in the driver's seat with a steady lead.
 
The momentum began to turn with 1:47 left in the game when West Virginia State made their final push. The Yellow Jackets used a layup, a three-pointer, and several free throw opportunities to chip away at the Golden Eagles who now only lead by four with a minute left on the clock.
 
Tensions were high in the final minute with State cutting the lead down to one point, 84-83 with only six seconds remaining in the game. Keith Williams was sent to the free throw line and drained two key points, Charleston ahead 86-83. State was forced to take a desperate shot in attempts to tie the game, but the shot went askew, and the Golden Eagle crowd began to roar.
 
The Charleston offense was highlighted by Eddie Colbert III and Tyler Eberhart who both put up 21 points in the contest along with Keith Williams who had 17.
 
Up Next:
Charleston will travel to Frostburg, Maryland on Wednesday for a Mountain East Conference game with the Bobcats.  Tip-off is set for 7:30 following the completion of the women's contest.