Charleston, W. Va – The Golden Eagles squared off with the Davis & Elkins Senators on Saturday in the Wehrle Innovation Center for an MEC Women's Basketball matchup. Charleston came into the game after a win on the road over the Bobcats, while the Senators were trying to get back on track after a 77-124 loss to West Virginia State at home. 
 
The Basics
Location: Wehrle Innovation Center
Score: UC 72, D&E 68
Records: UC (19-5, 14-4 MEC), D&E (5-18, 5-13 MEC)
 
How it Happened
The first quarter was highlighted with a shooting clinic put on by Dakota Reeves. The Cincinnati native drained five triples in the opening 10 minutes of play. It wasn't just Reeves that was catching fire; the Golden Eagle would shoot 56% from the field in the opening quarter and 60% from beyond the arc. With the Senators struggling on offense, Charleston went on a five-minute 19-4 run for the comfortable lead. They would take a 26-14 lead into the second quarter. 
 
Unfortunately for Charleston, they used up all of their good shooting in the opening quarter, and it was the Senators' turn to huddle by the campfire to heat up. Davis & Elkins would score 23 points and convert on 63% of the shots they took inside the arc, accompanied by their lone triple. The Golden Eagles shot 29% from the field and only finding two triples for a total of 14 points in the second quarter. They would, however, hold onto a three-point lead heading into the locker room. 
 
Although the Senators' shooting percentage took a dive, Charleston was unable to find any rhythm on offense, shooting 33% from the field in the third quarter on 15 attempts. Davis & Elkins found 18 points compared to Charleston's 14, with the lead changing seven times between the two sides throughout the opening ten minutes of the second half. A jumper with 48 seconds to go in the third would give the Senators the 55-54 lead over the Golden Eagles heading into the final period of play. 
 
On the box score, Davis & Elkins seemed to have the better fourth quarter of the two teams, but the deciding factor in this one would come down to free throws. The Golden Eagles stayed out of foul trouble when it mattered most and it would prove to be effective. Charleston would convert 7-10 from the charity stripe, while the Senators had no shots from the line the entire quarter. A clutch free throw from Clarrissa Francis would make the score 72-68 with too little time left for the Senators to tie the game. Charleston would hang on for the win at home and move to 14-4 in MEC play. 
 
Up Next
The Golden Eagles will be on the road this upcoming Wednesday as they travel to South Euclid to face the Notre Dame Falcons on February 15^th at 5:30 PM.