The University of Charleston was the last hope for the Mountain East Conference and after leading for the entire game the Golden Eagles (29-5) fell 67-65 to Gannon (32-2) on a put back on an offensive rebound at the buzzer. Gannon stayed perfect (20-0) at home on the season.
The MEC regular season and tournament champion Golden Eagles were led by Tyler Eberhart with 22 and got 15 from MEC Player of The Year Eddie Colbert. MEC Tournament MVP Dwaine Jones was held to just four points but dished out six assists. Obinna Ugwuakazi led UC on the boards with 10 on the evening. UC shot 53.3 percent in the contest after shooting 62.96 percent in the opening half. UC was just 1-11 from the 3-point line in the second half after shooting 50 percent (7-14) in the opening 20 minutes. They shot at a 90 percent clip (9-10) at the free throw line. They had 17 assists and 19 turnovers in the contest. UC won the rebounding battle 36-32.
UC had a 15-4 lead at the 14:44 mark of the first half on a triple by Eberhart. After the Golden Knights got within seven (24-17) a layup by Eberhart and a 3-pointer by Keaton Turner gave UC a 29-17 lead with 7:49 until halftime. The Golden Eagles would lead by 14 (41-27) at the half.
The lead was still 13 (48-35) on a Eberhart dunk with 16:28 to go. At the 10:04 mark Gannon would pull to within five (54-49) on a Omajofo layup. At the 5:09 mark DeAirius Barker hit a three to go up seven (61-54.) Ganon would go on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 61 on a Tipton layup with 2:52 on the clock. Colbert gave UC the lead 63-61 just over a minute later. Omajofo would knot the game at 63 19 ticks after that. Eberhart and Omajofo would each hit a pair of free throws to knot the game again, this time at 65. After a Tipton miss Nigel Haughton hit the game winner as time expired to send the Golden Knights to Evansville. The teams will be reseeded in Evansville next week.
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