WHEELING, W.Va. — West Virginia State women's basketball suffered a heartbreaking 63-62 defeat at Wheeling on Wednesday night in Mountain East Conference play at the Alma McDonough Center. The Yellow Jackets (5-3, 2-3 MEC) held a seven-point lead with just three minutes to play but managed only a single free throw the rest of the way, allowing the Cardinals (6-4, 3-1 MEC) to complete a late comeback.

• First Quarter: WVSU came out strong, using defensive intensity to take a 14-13 lead. Hallie Bailey set the tone with two early steals and three assists in the opening frame.
• Second Quarter: Wheeling found its rhythm offensively, outscoring the Yellow Jackets 21-12 to take a 34-26 halftime lead. Emilia Sierra Lacosta hit two of her three three-pointers during the quarter to spark the Cardinals.
• Third Quarter: WVSU responded with a balanced attack in the third, led by Zakorrah "ZZ" Russell's perimeter shooting. The Yellow Jackets outscored Wheeling 21-11 to reclaim a 47-45 lead entering the fourth quarter.
• Fourth Quarter: WVSU extended its lead to seven points with three minutes remaining, thanks to timely buckets from Russell and Emyah Fortenberry. However, the Yellow Jackets' offense faltered late, scoring just one free throw down the stretch. Wheeling capitalized with clutch shots from Kristel Rattasepp and Mah Minthe to seal the comeback victory.

Russell finished with a team-high 16 points, including three three-pointers, and now sits 17 points away from reaching 1,000 career points. Fortenberry contributed nine points and 11 rebounds, while Bailey added five assists and four steals.

West Virginia State will look to snap its three-game skid at home against West Liberty on Saturday, Dec. 14, with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m.