Buckhannon, W. Va – The Golden Eagle traveled up I-79 Wednesday evening to face the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats for an MEC Women's Basketball matchup. Both teams came into this one following a heartbreaking loss; Charleston losing to the Hilltoppers of West Liberty in overtime just four days prior, and the Bobcats only losing to Alderson Broaddus by just six points. 
 
The Basics
Location: Rockefeller Center
Score: UC 60, WVWC 50
Records: UC (18-5, 13-4 MEC), WVWC (4-17, 3-14 MEC) 
 
How it Happened
After Trinity Palacio scored the opening bucket of the game with a quick layup on a fastbreak with 9:10 remaining in the first, the Bobcats would take the lead for the first and last time of game after a Shelby Genes triple. Dakota Reeves answered with a triple of her own, and the Golden Eagles would hold onto the lead for the entirety of the game. They would go on to shoot 40% from the field in the first half (12-30) and shoot exceptionally well from three-point territory, knocking home nearly half of the shots they took. The Bobcats struggled to find rhythm in the first half, only shooting 30% for the half and only finding one three-pointer to go on seven total attempts. Charleston held a 35-17 lead over West Virginia Wesleyan going into the halftime break. 
 
The Bobcats, though down by 18 points to start the third, would make a push to cut down the deficit and take advantage of the low shooting percentage from Charleston in the quarter. The team would shoot 60% from the field compared to Charleston's 33% and cut the lead to a much more manageable 12 points. In the fourth quarter, the Bobcats would score the opening five points with the help of Emma Witt who would lead the squad offensively with her 20 points on the night. Despite the lead being cut to just seven points, the Golden Eagles began to cushion the advantage with Dakota Reeves and Trinity Palacio as they would combine for a quick 11 points to give them a 57-41 comfortable lead. Charleston would maintain their lead for the remainder of the game, holding on for a 60-50 victory over West Virginia Wesleyan. 
 
Palacio would finish with 21 points on the night, followed by Markyia McCormick who would contribute 15 to the scoreline. Defensively, Maggie Stephenson would send two Bobcat shots back to the court with her two blocks while Palacio found two steals during the game. 
 
 
Up Next
Charleston will be back in the Wehrle Innovation Center on February 11^th at 2:00 PM as they take on the Senators of Davis & Elkins.