BUCKHANNON, W.Va. –Wesleyan's men's basketball team dropped an 89-72 decision to University of Charleston Wednesday evening inside Rockefeller Center in Mountain East Conference action.
 
After an early Bobcat turnover, Charleston's Thomas Hailey ignited the offense with a dunk in the paint at the 19:35 mark. Wesleyan answered behind senior guard Curtis Litton, who knocked down a three-pointer at 18:02 to get the Bobcats on the board. Litton would continue to keep the home side within striking distance, connecting from deep multiple times in the opening half.
 
After trimming the deficit to 17-14 midway through the period, Wesleyan struggled to string together stops. Charleston responded with timely shooting from Ben Nicol and Charleston carried a 44-32 lead into the break.
 
Wesleyan showed fight early in the second half. Litton continued his strong offensive night, while Jerell Jean-Baptiste and Milos Cirovic helped the Bobcats stay within range.
 
After Hailey pushed the Charleston lead to 58-39 at the 15:02 mark, Wesleyan chipped away behind a three from Cirovic and aggressive drives from Isaiah Baker. A Litton three-pointer at 8:43 cut the deficit to 65-51.
 
However, each time the Bobcats gained momentum, Charleston answered. Shelton converted multiple fastbreak dunks, and Nicol and Eli Robertson hit key perimeter shots to halt Wesleyan rallies. The Golden Eagles stretched the advantage back to 20 late in the contest and maintained control down the stretch.
 
Wesleyan shot 44.0 percent (22-of-50) from the floor and an efficient 42.3 percent (11-of-26) from beyond the arc. The Bobcats were also solid at the line, hitting 17-of-23 free throws (73.9 percent).
 
Litton led all scorers for Wesleyan with 26 points, knocking down six three-pointers while adding six rebounds. Isaiah Baker contributed 10 points and four assists, while Jerell Jean-Baptiste also finished with 10 points.
 
Charleston placed five players in double figures, led by Matthew Shelton's 21 points and Thomas Hailey's 17-point, nine-rebound effort. The Golden Eagles dominated the paint, outscoring Wesleyan 40-16 inside and converting turnovers into a decisive 27-6 scoring edge.
 
The Bobcats continue Mountain East Conference play Saturday, Feb. 21 when the team travels to West Virginia State University for a 4 p.m. tipoff.