CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Feb. 14) – The Wheeling Jesuit women's basketball team was dealt a 62-57 loss at Charleston in a Mountain East Conference (MEC) matchup Thursday evening.

The loss bumps WJU to 3-20 overall and 1-16 in the MEC, while the Golden Eagles move up to 19-4 this season, 14-3 in league play.

Junior Khira Burton (Cincinnati, Ohio / Walnut Hills) led the Cardinals with 23 points, including a career-high five threes against the Golden Eagles. Junior Lauren Lipscomb (Columbus, Ohio / Pickerington North) notched 16 points, four rebounds and three assists, while senior Chenelle Moore (Westerville, Ohio / Westerville South) returned to the court after a three-game absence to put up 14 points and nine rebounds in the loss.

The Cardinals controlled the first half against Charleston, leading for over 12 minutes of game time, en route to a 27-19 lead. WJU turned up the heat in the second quarter, out-scoring the Golden Eagles 16-8 in the process. The Cardinals out-rebounded UC with Lipscomb taking down four and sophomore Tori Harrison (Centerville, Ohio / Centerville) grabbing three off the board. Wheeling Jesuit held the lead throughout the second quarter and extended it to eight with a quick spurt in the closing minutes behind a pair of  Burton three pointers.

Charleston came back to score 24 in the third quarter to reclaim the lead and take a 43-42 edge into the final period. Free throws made by Burton and junior Taliah Cashwell (South Charleston, W.Va. / South Charleston) combined with a jumper by Moore in the last seconds kept the Cardinals within one heading into the fourth quarter.

A three on the opening possession by Lipscomb put the Cardinals back in front to start the fourth quarter. WJU battled back and forth with UC for the lead, tying at 53 with three minutes left in the game. The Golden Eagles found some momentum and went on a run that Wheeling could not battle back from. The Cardinals came close with Moore putting up four points in the last 30 seconds to close the gap to three, but the team ultimately fell short.

The Cardinals return to the McDonough Center to face West Virginia State in another MEC game on Saturday, February 16 at 2 p.m.