INSTITUTE, W. Va. -- The West Virginia State University women's basketball team improved to 5-1 overall and 1-1 in the MEC, by winning 68-55 against Frostburg State, who falls to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the MEC, on Wednesday night at the Walker Convocation Center.

State's bench outscored Frostburg's by a total score of 26-15. A balanced scoring effort helped lead the Yellow Jackets to the well-earned victory.

WVSU had three players score in double figures. Junior Destiny Fields led the way with 11 points, which senior classmate Charity Shears matched. Sophomore ZZ Russell added 10 points as well.

The first quarter was a tale of runs. In the opening three minutes of the stanza, the WVSU defense smothered the Bobcats and only allowed FSU to score two points. The Yellow Jackets then went on a 10-3 run to gain the lead, 10-5, at the media timeout. During this run Fields produced six of her 11 points. However, the Bobcats answered with their own run to knot the score at 10-apiece. During the final minutes of the first quarter, both teams traded a basket to go into the second half with a 12-all score.

In the second period, Frostburg stormed out with a quick eight points to retake the lead, 20-14, over State. WVSU countered though and got the game back to even thanks to a three pointer from Payton Shears at the seven minute mark. Then Charity Shears hit a three at the four minute mark to give WVSU the lead back, 25-22. The last three minutes of the first half were back and forth until a late three from the Bobcats gave them a three point advantage, 29-26. A late jumper by Charity Shears reduced the deficit to one, 29-28, going into halftime.

The third quarter was won by the Yellow Jackets. They outscored their opponents, 21-13, to gain some separation from the Bobcats. A quick nine points in the opening two minutes gave WVSU a 36-29 lead. While FSU picked up play for moments in the third period, WVSU always had an answer to stay in front for the entire quarter.

In the fourth and final stanza, the Yellow Jackets rode their momentum and obtained an 11-point lead, 55-44, with only seven and a half minutes remaining in the game. While Frostburg continued to add points from the foul line, State never let up and eventually obtained a 15 point advantage, 63-48, going into the media timeout. The Yellow Jackets held on to their double digit lead and won the contest by a final score of 68-55.

WVSU will travel north to take on Fairmont State on Sauturday, Dec. 4th next. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.