WHEELING, W.Va.— Eddie Colbert III propelled the No. 12 University of Charleston (26-4, 17-3 MEC) men's basketball team to a huge 104-85 win over West Virginia State University (20-9, 14-6 MEC). The senior scored a career high of 36 points against the Yellow Jackets and shot .786 (11-14) from the field in 34 minutes of play. With this win, the Golden Eagles advance to Championship Sunday.
 
The Basics:
Location: WesBanco Arena
Score: 104-85 
Records: UC 26-4 (17-3 MEC), WVSU 20-9 (14-6 MEC)
 
How it Happened:
Charleston won the tipoff and notched the first four points on a tip in and as shot off the glass by Shunta Wilson. Following the Golden Eagles' quick start, the Yellow Jackets went on to cut the deficit in half and knot it up on the next two possessions. Two straight treys by Eddie Colbert III quickly handed the lead back UC though. From there, a Tyler Eberhart layup and two Dwaine Jones free throws put Charleston ahead 14-8 going into the first media timeout. 
 
The Golden Eagles had possession following the timeout, but a missed three handed it over to West Virginia State. State's possession was short lived though, as the Yellow Jackets lost the ball, which set up Jones for the fastbreak layup to increase Charleston's lead to eight. As the half progressed, Charleston stretched it to 14 on a six-point run featuring a jump shot by Jones, a free throw by Colbert III and a shot from the arc by Wilson. This broke it open and made the score 30-16 in favor of UC. The Yellow Jackets eventually found a groove to close out the half though, as they went on a 10-point run to get within seven points of the Golden Eagles. 
 
With the score at 42-33, Charleston scored two more on a jumper by Colbert III, but West Virginia State also added three more on a trey. Despite State's efforts, UC's momentum continued to build more-and-more, and they fell behind the Golden Eagles by a large margin. Charleston strung along another eight-point run with Colbert III scoring five of them to put the score at 56-38. UC kept widening the gap, and by the time the clock hit 12:32 mark, Charleston was out in front by 22 points. 
 
With their season on the line, the Yellow Jackets buzzed their way back into the game, forcing a UC timeout after they tailed six straight baskets with seven minutes and 19 seconds left in the half. After the timeout, WVSU shrunk the lead to just eight on a free throw, but State's Anthony Pittman, who put up 16 points on the scoreboard, fouled out to make matters worse for the Yellow Jackets. The Golden Eagles stopped the bleeding though and went on to secure the 104-85 victory over West Virginia State.
 
Charleston finished the game shooting .607 (34-56) from the floor, .545 (6-11) from downtown and stellar .857 (30-35) from the line. 
 
Up Next:
The Golden Eagles, the No. 1 seed in the Mountain East Conference Tournament, will take on No. 2 seed West Liberty. Tip-off for Championship Sunday is set 5pm. West Liberty entered the tournament as the number two seed, defeating . In regular season play, Charleston swept both the Hilltoppers and the Mountain Lions.