INSTITUTE, W.Va. – While the football team was competing for a conference championship on Saturday afternoon, the West Virginia State University women's basketball team picked up its first win of the season against Kentucky State, 92-78. After a tumultuous first quarter, the Yellow Jackets finally found their groove and outscored their opponents in each of the last three quarters for a decisive victory.
West Virginia State improved to 1-2 overall following the non-conference win. Meanwhile, Kentucky State (2-1) was dealt its first loss of the season.
Sophomore guards Payton and
Charity Shears each posted 16 points to lead the Yellow Jackets in scoring. Two freshmen,
Milla Spann and
Abby Faulkner, emerged as sharpshooting scoring threats. Spann shot 5-of-9 from the field and 4-of-8 from behind the arc, while Faulkner shot 3-of-5 from three-point range and 4-of-8 from inside the arc. Once again, freshman
Destiny Fields was on the precipice of a double-double with a team-high seven rebounds alongside 10 points.
The first quarter did not end well for the Yellow Jackets. The Thorobreds went on a 14-4 run in the last five minutes to go into the second period with an 11-point advantage, 24-13.
West Virginia State turned the tables in the second quarter, outscoring Kentucky State, 21-13. The Yellow Jackets nullified Kentucky State's lead with two minutes remaining in the first half after
Payton Shears converted both of her foul shots, 31-31. Two three-pointers by the Thorobreds and one by West Virginia State in the final two minutes of the half left Kentucky State with a slight advantage, 37-34.
The Yellow Jackets finally gained the lead that they deserved late in the third quarter. They embarked on a 10-2 run in the final two minutes to claim a six-point advantage, 62-56. Freshman
Hannah Shriver drained a three-pointer with the clock expiring to make it so.
West Virginia State extended its momentum into the fourth quarter. The Yellow Jackets went ahead by as much as 19 points with three minutes remaining in the contest. WVSU was then able to cruise to its first victory of the 2019-20 season.
West Virginia State collected 48 points off the bench and 25 points off turnovers in a stellar team effort.
The Yellow Jackets open league play next at Glenville State on Saturday, Nov. 23. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
