Charleston, W. Va – On Saturday, the Golden Eagles would host the Falcons of Notre Dame College for their first Mountain East Conference matchup of the new year. Charleston came in hot off a two-game winning streak with wins over UVA Wise and Salem, while Notre Dame was looking to bounce back after an 82-56 loss at home three days prior. 
 
The Basics
Location: Wehrle Innovation Center
Score: UC 73, NDC 53
Records: UC 7-7 (3-4 MEC), NDC 4-10 (2-6 MEC)
 
How it Happened
Similar to their win over Salem, it would be another dominating second half performance that would push Charleston ahead of the Falcons Saturday afternoon. The first half entailed a very slow start for the Golden Eagles, while Notre Dame would shoot 51% from the floor and hit three triples in the half. The Falcons would work their way up to a 10-point lead over Charleston in the first period and maintain a small margin over the Golden Eagles throughout the second period, heading into the halftime break with a 33-29. Charleston shot 39% inside the arc and only found one three-pointer from Austin Taylor in the first period. Adjustments were required for the Golden Eagles after going into the locker room down by four. 
 
Charleston would take their first lead of the game at the 8:37 mark of the third quarter after Nia Vanzant's triple and the Golden Eagles began to pull away with their 53% conversion rate from the floor. Charleston would outscore the Falcons 26-7 in the third quarter, and a perfect trip to the charity stripe from Paris Stokes near the end of the quarter would give Charleston a 55-40 lead heading into the final period. The Golden Eagles would take the remaining ten minutes of the game and extend their lead by five, outscoring the visitors 18-13 and taking the 73-53 victory at home over Notre Dame. 
 
Up Next
Charleston will be back in action on Wednesday at home as they take on the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats in the Wehrle Innovation Center on January 14^th at 5:30 PM.