INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University women's basketball team fell to Wheeling on Saturday at the Walker Convocation Center, 104-99. The Yellow Jackets came back from a 19-point deficit late in the third quarter, but couldn't hang on to win.

WVSU falls to an even 4-4 in the Mountain East Conference with the loss while Wheeling improves to 4-2 in the MEC with the win.

Five Yellow Jackets scored in double-digits. Junior guard Kalia Cunningham led the way with 18 points and seven assists. Sophomore Destiny Fields racked up 14 points with juniors Chloe Cheresne (13 points), Peyton Shears (12 points), and Charity Shears (11 points) rounding out the top scorers.

The first period of play was closely played. Each team went on small runs that the other team would answer. WVSU went on a run at the beginning of the quarter that was sparked by steals and layups from Kalia Cunningham. Wheeling went on its run late in the quarter thanks to a collection of free throws. The Cardinals finished the quarter with a small four-point lead, 25-21.

The beginning of the second quarter was the same back and forth action seen in the first quarter. However, around the six-minute mark of the quarter, the Yellow Jackets started getting hot. Destiny Fields and Alana Kramer each made two three-point buckets to put WVSU in the lead at the four-and-a-half-minute mark. The hot streak didn't last long though as Wheeling was able to use some mid-range jumpers and free throws to claw their way back into the lead, 55-48, at the half.

Wheeling came out of the break on a roll and controlled the pace of the game for most of the quarter. The Cardinals were able to hold WVSU scoreless from the 7:25 mark to the 3:47 point of the period. After that small drought, though, the Yellow Jackets seemed to find life as they caused eight turnovers in the quarter and capitalized on all of them. The Cardinals still held the lead though, 84-66, going into the start of the fourth.

The momentum from the third quarter carried over into the fourth for the Yellow Jackets. They caused nine turnovers and scored on almost every single steal. To go along with that, three-point shots from Peyton Shears and Chloe Cheresne propelled WVSU to a dominating last quarter of play and brought them back into the game. However, late-game foul shots from Wheeling kept them ahead and allowed them to squeak by with the win.

WVSU was able to apply pressure and speed up the Cardinals causing them to commit 26 turnovers on the game. West Virginia State scored 29 points off those turnovers.

The Yellow Jackets will be in action again on Wednesday, Feb. 3 as they travel to Frostburg State. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.