CHARLESTON, W.Va. – University of Charleston (1-0) held off Shepherd (0-1) for an 83-78 win in women's basketball action at the MEC/PSAC Conference Challenge at Charleston on Saturday night.

Shepherd was led by sophomore guard Kara Wehner (Staten Island, N.Y./Xaverian) with a team-high 16 points. She connected on 5-of-12 field goals with a 1-of-5 effort from beyond the arc. She was 5-of-7 from the line.

Junior guard Annie Hunt (Ravenswood, W.Va./Ravenswood/Wheeling) and sophomore forward Jenna Liska (Eldersburg, Md./Liberty/Frostburg State) each added 11 points. Sophomore forward Carmaya Bowman (Hampstead, Md./Manchester Valley) had six points and grabbed a team-high five rebounds.

Paris Stokes had a game-high 24 points to lead the Golden Eagles. Annarino Harper added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Shepherd tied the game at 76-76 on a pair of free throws by Liska with 2:52 remaining in regulation. Charleston closed the game on a 7-2 run to gain the victory.

Shepherd connected on 25-of-53 field goals (.472) with a 4-10 effort (.200) from three-point range. The Rams connected on 24-of-30 (.800) free throws.

Charleston was successful on 22-of-45 field goals (.489) with a 7-of-20 performance from beyond the arc. The Golden Eagles sank 32-of-46 free throws.

UC had a 34-27 edge in rebounding. Shepherd forced 23 turnovers and committed 21.

The Rams return to action on Sunday when they face West Virginia State at 4 p.m. in final day action of the NEC/PSAC Conference Challenge.