Semifinal 1: Golden Eagles Handle Hilltoppers
Charleston 76, West Liberty 49
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Charleston Postgame Press Conference (MP3) | West Liberty Press Conference (MP3)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Charleston put West Liberty in a 44-17 hole at half time and went on to hand the Hilltoppers a 76-49 defeat in the Mountain East Conference Tournament semifinals.
Charleston (21-7) advances to the MEC Tournament finals tomorrow at 1 p.m.
UC was efficient on offense shooting 51 percent from the field. The Golden Eagles also knocked down 7-of-9 three-pointers in the game. West Liberty (20-10), which made 14 three-pointers in Thursday’s quarterfinal game, made just two on Saturday.
The Golden Eagles got out to a quick start in the first half burying 62 percent of its shots from the field and 6-of-7 from behind the arc. West Liberty, on the other hand, struggled to hit shots in the first 20 minutes making just 21 percent from the field, which led to a 44-17 halftime lead for UC.
West Liberty made a push early in the second half and cut the lead to 16 with several possessions to get within striking distance but could not get shots to fall, and UC took advantage and led by more than 20 points for the final 10 minutes of the game.
Semifinal 2: Glenville State Races Past West Virginia State
Glenville State 103, West Virginia State 75
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Glenville State Postgame Press Conference (MP3) | West Virginia State Press Conference (MP3)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Glenville State jumped on West Virginia State early as the Pioneers rolled to a 103-75 win over the Yellow Jackets in the Mountain East Conference Tournament semifinals on Saturday.
The Pioneers (27-3) will play Charleston for the first MEC Tournament championship on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Glenville State drained 16 three-pointers and forced 19 turnovers in the game. The Pioneers also had a significant edge in bench points, 47-12, over the Yellow Jackets.
Glenville State was led by Kenyell Goodson’s 22 points and eight rebounds. Keyanna Tate had 14 points and six rebounds and five steals, and Tasia Bistow contributed 13 points and four assists.
Lexy Carson led West Virginia State (19-11) with 26 points, six rebounds and four assists. Shealyn Shafer had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets.
The Pioneers raced out to a 28-9 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game and never let West Virginia State get closer on its way to the lopsided victory. GSC hit eight three-pointers and forced 11 Yellow Jacket turnovers in the first 20 minutes to help stake it out to a 52-32 lead at the break. WVSU could not gather any momentum in the second half and Glenville State’s lead swelled to as many as 36 points before the final 28-point margin.