FAIRMONT, W.Va.—In last night's game against Fairmont State University (15-6, 8-6 MEC), Shunta Wilson propelled the No. 21 University of Charleston men's basketball team to a 80-72 victory. The junior notched a career high of 27 points, shooting 9-13 (.692) from the floor with five rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes played. Also on fire was Senior Eddie Colbert III, as he went 8-10 (.800) from the field with 25 points scored, seven rebounds and two assists.
The Golden Eagles cushion their lead in the Mountain East Conference Standings and improve to 17-3 overall and 12-2 in conference play with this win.
The Basics:
Location: Fairmont, W.Va.
Score: 80-72 (UCWV)
How it Happened:
Wilson and Colbert III led the Golden Eagles offense with a total of 52 points, but Charleston's bench outscored Fairmont's 14-10. It was all thanks to Junior and Notre Dame College transfer, Obinna Ugwuakazi. Ugwuakazi tallied all 14 bench points with five rebounds, an assist and a steal. He was also a clutch 5-7 (.714) from the floor, 2-2 from three and 2-2 from the line. As per usual, Dwaine Jones, a junior transfer from West Virginia State University, led UC with eight assists.
The game started off with Fairmont scoring the first two baskets, but Charleston quickly got down to business, stringing along a 12-point run that featured treys by Wilson (2), Colbert III (1) and Tyler Eberhart (1). Slowly but surely, the Fighting Falcons clawed their way back into the game, knotting the score at 16. The comeback was short lived though, as the Golden Eagles pulled ahead 20-16 on two straight layups by Ugwuakazi. A clutch three from Fairmont's Tommy Williams knotted the score for a second time, but they still could not garner the momentum they needed to push past UC. Charleston stole the lead back on another shot from downtown by Colbert III to put them ahead 30-27. The Golden Eagles went 14-32 (.438) from the field and ended the half leading Fairmont, 37-35.
The Fighting Falcons got the scoring started in the second half and regained a slim 39-37 lead on a jump shot and layup. This was the first time the Golden Eagles trailed since the first minute of the game, but it did not shake them. They went on to score the next seven points on a trey by DeAirius Barker and two layups by Wilson. Fairmont did not go out without a fight though. At one point, Charleston was up by 17 points, but Fairmont chipped away at the deficit, cutting it down to just four with 1:08 left on the clock. Both teams spent the last minute committing fouls, but clutch free throw shooting by Charleston is what made the difference. The Golden Eagles closed out the game and secured the 80-72 road victory on a Colbert III free throw. Along with the win, UC improved their shooting in the second half, as they shot 12-20 (.600) from the floor, 5-9 (.556) from three and 14-21 (.667) from the line.
Up Next:
Next on Charleston's agenda is a home game versus Frostburg State University on Saturday, February 10 at 4pm. The Bobcats are ranked No. 10 in the Mountain East Conference out of a 11 teams with an overall record of 2-19 and a conference record of 2-12. UC defeated Frostburg 81-75 earlier this season.
