WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The University of Charleston Women's Basketball team earned its first Mountain East Conference victory of the season in dominant fashion, defeating West Liberty 85-54 on Wednesday evening at the ASRC. The Golden Eagles snapped a seven-game losing streak with a well-rounded performance led by Jamia Nesmith and Paris Stokes.
The Basics:
Location: Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex
Score: 85-54 (W)
Records: UC 3-7 (1-4 MEC), West Liberty 4-6 (2-2 MEC)
How it Happened:
Charleston came out aggressive in the opening quarter, setting the tone with a 26-9 run. The Golden Eagles were relentless in the paint, led by Nesmith's inside presence, while their defense held West Liberty to just 4-of-17 shooting.
The momentum carried into the second quarter as Charleston outscored the Hilltoppers 24-13. Their ball movement and defensive intensity stifled West Liberty, allowing the Golden Eagles to enter halftime with a commanding 50-22 lead. Nesmith and Stokes combined for 24 first-half points, while Charleston shot 53.8% from the floor in the first 20 minutes.
The third quarter saw the Golden Eagles slow down offensively, but they remained in control, outscoring West Liberty 15-12. Kiley Graham knocked down key shots, including a pair of three-pointers, to keep the Hilltoppers at bay. Charleston's defense continued to dominate, forcing turnovers and limiting second-chance opportunities.
In the final quarter, the Golden Eagles closed strong with a 20-20 frame, matching West Liberty's energy but never letting the lead shrink. Keyara McCoy and Harper Annarino contributed down the stretch, securing the 31-point victory.
Nesmith led all scorers with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting while grabbing nine rebounds. Stokes added 17 points and six rebounds, while Graham finished with 16 points, including two three-pointers. McCoy provided a spark off the bench, scoring 10 points and hitting 6-of-10 free throws. Annarino led Charleston on the glass, pulling down nine rebounds.
Defensively, Charleston held West Liberty to 31.1% shooting (19-of-61) and forced 18 turnovers while dominating the boards 46-31.
Up Next: The Golden Eagles return home to face Wheeling University on Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Wehrle Innovation Center.
