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West Virginia State University Athletics

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MBB2223 Kinsler
Photo: Todd Griffith
86
Winner Charleston (WV) UCM 13-5,10-2 MEC
83
West Virginia St. WVSt 15-3,9-3 MEC
Winner
Charleston (WV) UCM
13-5,10-2 MEC
86
Final
83
West Virginia St. WVSt
15-3,9-3 MEC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Charleston (WV) UCM 47 39 86
West Virginia St. WVSt 31 52 83

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | James Garcia, Sports Information Director

No. 11 West Virginia State falls short to Charleston

INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The No. 11 West Virginia State men's basketball team (15-3, 9-3 MEC) fell short to Charleston (13-5, 10-2 MEC) by a final score of 86-83 on Saturday afternoon at the Walker Convocation Center. The Yellow Jackets went down by as much as 23 points towards the end of the first half and nearly came all the way back in the second half.

Sophomore guard Samier Kinsler was the game's leading scorer with 24 points. He made 4-of-9 three-point shots. Junior forward Malik Whitaker and sophomore guard Dwaine Jones each posted 13 points. Jones also dished out seven assists in the contest. Junior forward Noah Jordan also scored in double-digits with 12 points and came close to a double-double with eight rebounds. 

The opening 15 minutes of the first half was tough going for State. The Yellow Jackets shot 20 percent from the field while the Golden Eagles made 60 percent of their shots from the floor. The result was a 23-point deficit, 38-15, for WVSU with 4:28 remaining in the first stanza.

State made a late push in the opening half by going on a 16-9 run. Pittman pulled up for a shot behind the arc and drained it to start the run. Jordan then fueled the run by making a pair of three-pointers. Jones finished it with a driving layup in the final seconds to close the gap to 16 points, 47-31, at halftime.

In the opening five minutes of the second half, the Yellow Jackets scored 10 unanswered to pull back within six points, 51-45, of Charleston. Jones and Taevon Horton bookended the stretch with treys. The momentum did not last, however, as UC was able to maintain its lead and even extend it to 14 points, 75-61, with five minutes left to play.

The last push by WVSU occurred over the next four minutes. State went on a dominant 17-7 run in which the Yellow Jackets forced five turnovers and scored from all ranges. Suddenly, only four points separated WVSU from Charleston with a minute to go.

The last minute was a nail-biter with State cutting the lead down to one point, 84-83, with six seconds remaining. UC was then sent to the free throw line one last time. Both shots were converted to leave State with no other option but to take a last-ditch three that went awry.

The Yellow Jackets will face another tough opponent in Fairmont State next on Wednesday, Jan. 25th. Additionally, WVSU will have to face the Falcons on the road. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

 
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