Charleston, W. Va – The Golden Eagles would face yet another opponent from outside the Mountain East Conference on Friday, with the Cavaliers of UVA Wise coming to the Wehrle Innovation Center. Charleston came into the contest off of tough loss in overtime to Edinboro University just two weeks prior, while the Cavaliers came in looking to start a winning streak after their 78-73 win over Barton College. 
 
The Basics
Location: Wehrle Innovation Center
Score: UC 77, UVA Wise 71
Records: UC 5-7 (2-4 MEC), UVA Wise 5-6 (1-3 SAC)
 
How it Happened
It would be a high-scoring first quarter to get the ball rolling in Charleston's final game of 2023, with the Golden Eagles shooting 69% from the field and 56% from deep range in the opening stages. Charleston's ability to hit their three-point attempts would allow for them to hold a 29-28 lead heading into the second quarter, where the scoring would slow down from both sides. After a Caitlyn Ross layup at the start of the period for the Cavaliers, UVA Wise would maintain a small margin over Charleston until Taylor Austin's triple midway through the quarter for the 38-37 lead. Haley Moore's layup towards the end of the quarter would be the final bucket of the half with the Golden Eagles on top 43-40. 
 
Charleston would open up the half with a lightning fast 10-2 run highlighted with back-to-back steals from Nia Vanzant and Taylor Austin that cashed in for two quick layups for the 52-42 lead. After a timeout from the Cavaliers, a two-minute drought would ensue until UVA Wise would get a layup out of Allyson Fleenor that was immediately washed by a Jamia Nesmith triple at the 4:17 mark in the quarter. The Cavaliers began to cut the lead down just before the end of the period, but their work would be cut out for them going into the fourth after Paris Stokes electrified the crowd with a heave from beyond the half court line at the buzzer, giving Charleston the momentum and a 58-52 lead heading into the final period. The Golden Eagles would go 9-14 from the charity stripe and match the Cavaliers' 19 points scored in the fourth quarter to hold on for the 77-71 victory.
 
Taylor Austin would put up 19 points in the contest with Haley Moore finishing the day with 18. Clarrissa Francis nearly finished with a double-double with her 16 points and seven rebounds, but would also find two steals. The Golden Eagles would go 44% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc, securing one last win in the year of 2023. 
 
Up Next
Charleston will have their first game of 2024 on January 10^th as they take on the Salem Tigers in the T. Edward Davis Gymnasium at 5:30 PM.