CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The University of Charleston (11–7, 8–3 MEC) closed the game with a decisive fourth-quarter surge to pull away from West Virginia State's women's basketball team, handing the Yellow Jackets a 63–53 setback Saturday afternoon at the H. Bernard Wehrle Arena in Mountain East Conference play.

West Virginia State traded punches throughout a tightly contested first three quarters and carried a one-possession edge late in the third before Charleston seized control at the free-throw line. The Golden Eagles went 14-of-18 at the stripe in the fourth quarter alone, turning a one-point game into a double-digit margin down the stretch.

Ahjanae Young paced the Yellow Jackets with 16 points on 7-of-17 shooting, knocking down four triples, including a pair late in the fourth. Baylee Goins added 13 points, six rebounds and four steals, while Latisha Parris chipped in 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists in 40 minutes of action.

West Virginia State shot 21-of-69 from the field (30.4 percent) and 4-of-18 from beyond the arc, while holding a slight rebounding edge at 45–44. The Yellow Jackets generated 18 points in the paint and 16 points off turnovers but struggled to keep Charleston off the line, as the Golden Eagles finished 23-of-28 on free throws for the game.

Charleston was led by Paris Stokes, who scored a game-high 18 points and went 10-of-12 at the foul line. Harper Annarino posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Ksenija Mitric added 12 points and five steals to fuel the late push.

West Virginia State (7–10, 4–7 MEC) returns home to the Walker Convocation Center on Wednesday, Jan. 28, for a Mountain East Conference matchup against West Liberty. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.