Box Score Wheeling, W.Va. – #8 seeded Charleston faced off with the #9 seeded West Liberty in the Mountain East Conference tournament first round Wednesday afternoon.
The Basics:
Location: WesBanco Arena
Score: UC 66, WLU 43
Records: UC 15-13 (10-10 MEC) West Liberty 9-19 (6-14 MEC)
How it Happened:
The Golden Eagles who entered the contest as the higher seed at #8 won the tip but after several missed opportunities from both sides, it was West Liberty who scored the first points of the contest. Charleston struggled to find their rhythm, but after an offense board form Candela Nevares Garcia, Kiley Graham put Charleston on the scoresheet with a two-point basket. A block from Kiley Graham followed by Paris Stokes taking the ball coast to coast and the Golden Eagles held the lead 4-2 with 6:01 left in the first quarter.
After the first quarter media timeout, the Golden Eagles defense was strong, scoring on back-to-back-to-back plays extending their lead 10-2. The low scoring first half ended in favor of Charleston, the Golden Eagles ahead 12-4.
The second half opened with a two-point bucket from Kiley Graham, but the Hilltoppers responded with a three and then forced a turnover to regain possession. A shooting foul from Charleston sent West Liberty to the charity stripe where they went 2-2, making the score 14-9 UC. Charleston then responded with a nine-point run to extend their advantage 23-9.
The Hilltoppers responded well after the second quarter media timeout, scoring eight straight and cutting the deficit to 23-17. Charleston then scored six unanswered points, heading into the half with the lead 29-17. Paris stokes led Charleston with seven points and eight boards in the first half.
West Liberty started the scoring in the second half with a jumper for the first two points of the third quarter. Charleston answered with back-to-back buckets before the Hilltoppers hit a three, Charleston still leading, 33-22. Charleston then went on a seven-point run, forcing the Hilltoppers to take a timeout, trailing 40-22 to the Golden Eagles with 5:55 left in the third quarter. After several traded buckets, the Hilltoppers found a hot streak, included a pair of threes. The quarter ended 46-31 in favor of the Golden Eagles.
Charleston's Kiley Graham started the fourth quarter with a layup in the paint, the Hilltoppers responding with a layup of their own before Candela Nevares Garcia for Charleston sank a bucket from beyond the arc to extend Charleston's lead back to 18, 51-33 the score.
The Golden Eagles continued to dominate for the remainder of the contest, taking the final score 66-43.
Three Charleston players finished the contest with a double-double, Kiley Graham led the charge with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Harper Annarino finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds and Paris Stokes ended with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Up Next:
Charleston will advance to the quarterfinal round where they will face #1 Fairmont State at 6:00PM tomorrow evening.
