Charleston, W.Va. – The Golden Eagles win conference matchup in an exciting shootout.

The Basics: 

• Location: Wehrle Innovation Center, Charleston, WV 

• Final Score: UC 68, PPU 49 

• Records: Charleston (15-8, 10-6 MEC), Point Park (7-15, 5-12 MEC) 

How it Happened:
The Point Park Pioneers came out of the gate hot versus the Golden Eagles. After winning the tip off PPU would start the game on a 9-2 run only hitting three pointers in the process. UC's Ben Nicol would return with three of his own, but the Pioneers fired right back. PPU would hit back-to-back three pointers making it 5 in a row! This put Charleston in a 15-5 hole to start the game. The game turned into a three-point contest as UC and PPU traded buckets and with ten minutes left in the half Charleston had a slim 24-23 lead. Braeden Chapman, Ben Nicol, and Trevor Barrett all hit back-to-back-to-back three pointers, which gave Charleston a 33-30 lead. Point Park would up their defensive efforts to end the half and despite a couple of buckets by UC's Thomas Hailey, the Pioneers took the lead back. Greg Williams of PPU couldn't miss this half nailing five three pointers. He gave the Pioneers the edge in this half, winning 47-42. 

The Second half started with a Charleston 8-1 run thanks to the scoring of Braden Chapman and Thomas Hailey. Point Park would storm back going on a run of their own, but eight points from Hamilton Campbell put Charleston in a good position. After Campbell, Eli Robertson would hit a three-pointer putting the Golden Eagles up one 62-61. UC's Trevor Barrett had some big buckets this half nailing a layup and a three-pointer giving The Golden Eagles some separation. Shortly after Braden Chapman and Mathew Shelton would hit two big shots, putting UC up 75-69 and forcing the Pioneers to take a timeout. Late in the game. PPU would not go down easy going shot for shot with UC all the way through. Thomas Hailey and Hamilton Campbell were the sparks that carried Charleston through the end of this game. After making their free throws, it was just too late for the Pioneers as UC would go on to win 86-82.  

Thomas Hailey had himself a night with a twenty-point double-double. Braden Chapman and Hamilton Campbell both added double digit points as well. 

Up Next: 
UC basketball will have an away game next Wednesday against West Virginia Wesleyan College at the Rockefeller Center, game time 7:30pm.