CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University women's basketball team was defeated by Charleston, 98-75, on the road Saturday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets outscored their opponents, 25-20, in the third quarter but couldn't keep up with the Golden Eagles in the rest of the game.

West Virginia State (9-19, 7-15 MEC) finishes the regular season ranked ninth in the league standings and subsequently earns a bid to play in the first round of the 2020 MEC Women's Basketball Tournament. Meanwhile, Charleston (22-6, 17-5 MEC) finishes third in the Mountain East Conference and receives a first-round bye in the MEC Tournament.

Freshman forward Destiny Fields led the Yellow Jackets in scoring with 16 points. She made all seven of her shots from the floor, knocked down her sole three-point attempt, and converted on one of her two free-throw attempts. Sophomore guard Charity Shears reached double-digits in scoring with 13 points. Shears averaged 16.7 points per game during the regular season.

The first half was unkind to the Yellow Jackets. Charleston rallied to a 15-point lead, 28-13, at the conclusion of the first quarter. The Golden Eagles did not let up in the second quarter either. They outscored West Virginia State, 31-24, to carry a 14-point cushion, 59-37, into the second half.

WVSU knocked down a trio of three-pointers in the opening five minutes of the third period and went on a 17-8 run in the closing five minutes to try to mount a comeback. West Virginia State still trailed by 15 points, 79-62, going into the fourth quarter.

UC was held to 19 points in the final period by the Yellow Jackets. West Virginia State only managed to score 13 points, however, and was unable to overtake Charleston.

WVSU will play eighth-seeded West Liberty in the opening round of the MEC Tournament on Wednesday, March 4 at the WesBanco Arena next. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:15 p.m.