Concord Looks to Even Record in MEC Tilt Versus Charleston

Concord Stats - Charleston Stats - Live Stats - Live Video

ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University women's basketball team meets Charleston for its 2023-324 Mountain East Conference opener Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Center.   
 
LIVE COVERAGE 
The Concord University Sports Information Department will provide live video and statistics for the game.  

Live Video
Live Stats

SERIES HISTORY: Charleston leads 45-15 

LAST FIVE MEETINGS AGAINST CHARLESTON 
March 3, 2023: Charleston 78 - Concord 54 (Wheeling, W.Va.) 
January 18, 2023: Charleston 80 – Concord 68 (Charleston, W.Va.) 
November 19, 2022: Charleston 72 – Concord 57 (Athens, W.Va.) 
January 19, 2022: Charleston 81 – Concord 67 (Athens, W.Va.) 
November 20, 2021: Charleston 77 – Concord 69 (Charleston, W.Va.) 


CONCORD AT A GLANCE 
2023-24 Record: 1-2 
MEC Record: 0-0 
Home Record: 1-0 
Away Record: 0-1 
Neutral Record: 0-1 


COMEBACK KIDS 
CU trailed Bluefield State by as much as 18 points midway through the second quarter in Wednesday's contest. The Mountain Lions were able to cut the lead to six at halftime and trailed by two at the end of the third quarter. The Big Blues led by double-digits with five minutes to go in regulation until Concord rattled off a 13-2 run to take its first led since leading 4-0, 62-61. The Mountain Lions closed out the game in overtime to complete the biggest comeback victory for the program since January 2021 when they erased a 19-point advantage by West Virginia State, also in the Carter Center.  

CONTROLLING THE GLASS 
For the second time in its last five games dating back to last season, CU grabbed 60 rebounds on Wednesday against BSU. Twenty-nine offensive rebounds helped the Mountain Lions to a plus-12 rebounds advantage over the Big Blues. Graduate forward Alexis Phillips collected a career-high 16 boards and junior guard Skylar Davidson notched a new career-high 10 rebounds. Davidson also became the third Concord starting point guard in the last five seasons to post a double-double along senior guard Jaisah Smith last year and Gracie Robinson in January 2020. Additionally, all seven of sophomore forward Abbie Smith's rebounds came on the Mountain Lions' offensive glass, fueling 13 CU second chance points.  


IN THE CLUTCH 
Graduate guard Nakaila Gray is no stranger to clutch points. Gray hit the game-tying three pointer in Concord's upset win in the MEC Tournament against West Virginia State last March. Gray accounted for six of CU's 19 points in the final three minutes of regulation and overtime in Wednesday's come-from-behind win. Gray's six points ties her with Davidson for the most points in crunch time through three games this season.  

AT THE STRIPE 
Concord's 46 free throw attempts against BSU Wednesday were the second most in a game in Division II this season behind Midwestern State's 48 free throw attempts against Colorado Springs on November 10. The Mountain Lions were able to convert on 28 of those attempts, making them the most (both made and attempted) free throws in a game since at least the 2012-13 season. Ten of CU's 28 makes came in the fourth quarter and overtime.  

PREVIOUS MATCHUPS 
Charleston defeated CU at the MEC Tournament in the semifinal round last season, ending their tournament run. UC also swept the season series last winter. J. Smith and A. Smith scored in double-figures in both regular season meetings. At the Wehrle Center, Gray recorded a career-high four steals, while A. Smith notched her career-high of two steals against the Golden Eagles. In three meetings, Concord forced 48 turnovers, including 24 steals.  
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS 
15 - Points by Phillips against Bluefield State was one off her career high 

54 - Career blocks by Phillips moving her into a tie for eighth in program history 

90 - Free throws attempted by Concord through three games are the third most in the MEC

CHARLESTON AT A GLANCE 
Overall: Record: 1-2 
MEC Record: 0-0 
Home Record: 0-0 
Away Record:  0-2 
Neutral Record: 1-0 


SCOUTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES 
Junior guard Taylor Austin has emerged as the leading scorer for Charleston this season, averaging 11.7 points per game and drained three three-pointers in UC's last two contests. Senior forward Clarissa Francis controls the boards, leading the team with 5.7 rebounds per game. Junior guard Kiara Cruz fronts UC's defense, leading the Golden Eagles with 2.3 steals per game and 0.3 blocks per game. Cruz has posted two four-steal efforts in just three games this season.