INSTITUTE, W. Va. --  The West Virginia State University women's basketball team put forth a great effort against rival University of Charleston but were ultimately edged, 67-61, on Saturday at the Walker Convocation Center.

The Yellow Jackets slip to 17-10 overall and 13-9 in the MEC while the Golden Eagles move to 18-8 overall and 16-6 in the league standings.

Junior guard Hannah Shriver led the scoring effort for West Virginia State with 18 points. Charity Shears followed with 14 points and Shelby Harmeyer was the other Yellow Jacket in double figures with 11. Freshman Emyah Fortenberry stuffed the stat sheet with 10 rebounds, two blocks, three steals and seven points.

To begin the first quarter, both teams went back and forth. For the first five minutes, both teams traded a three and a jumper. However, a three by Charity Shears gave WVSU a slim 8-5 lead with just under six minutes remaining.  A jumper by UC cut the deficit to one, 8-7, before the halfway point of the quarter.  Then the Yellow Jackets went on a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to have a 15-7 advantage at the three minute mark in the stanza. Over the last three minutes of the period, the teams went back and forth until two late foul shots from UC gave them a 17-15 advantage at the end of the first.

Charleston went on an 8-0 run to begin the second stanza to give them a double digit lead, 25-15, three minutes into the quarter. However a quick four points from West Virginia State helped cut the lead back to six, 25-19, at the six minute mark. During the next three minutes of the second quarter, UC tried to extend their lead further but WVSU always found a way to counter with the score sitting at 34-26 with just under three minutes remaining. The final two minutes of the half was owned by the Golden Eagles with them being able to secure the largest lead thus far, 38-26, thanks to a layup. The teams traded tries at the foul line to end the half with UC having an 11-point advantage, 39-28, going into the break.

UC came out of the locker room and scored a quick four points to then secure the largest lead of the game at 15 points, 43-28. Nevertheless, WVSU was not deterred and went on a 10-0 run starting at the nine minute mark and lasting until the six minute mark to cut the lead back to five, 43-38. Five points for UC over the next minute made the lead double digits again, 48-38, going into the second five minutes of the quarter. The final five minutes of the third quarter were owned by West Virginia State due in part to an 8-3 run. Four different Yellow Jackets scored on the run to go into the fourth quarter only down by five, 51-46.

WVSU continued the run into the fourth quarter to get the game within a single basket again with six minutes remaining, 53-51. The next two minutes were a cat and mouse game with each team trading baskets. Three different Yellow Jackets made layups to keep the game close at 61-57. Irregardless, the last four minutes of the game were controlled by UC. The Golden Eagles were able to maintain their lead while WVSU just couldn't seem to land the necessary knockout punch.

West Virginia State ended up as the No. 7 seed in the MEC Tournament following the result. The Yellow Jackets will face the No. 10 seed Davis & Elkins Senators in the first round on Wednesday, March 2nd at noon. The tournament will take place in Wheeling, W.Va. at the WesBanco Arena. Tickets can be purchase here.