INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- West Virginia State's women's basketball team fell to the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats for the first time since 2021, 74-63 in the Walker Convocation Center on Monday. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon, but the game was moved after weather conditions made it unsafe for the visitors to travel.

WVSU falls to 7-8 on the season, 3-6 in the Mountain East Conference. The Bobcats improve to 10-4, 6-3 in conference play.

The Yellow Jackets were led by Emyah Fortenberry who had her eighth double-double of the season with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Shanley Woods and Baylee Goins were both in double figures with 12 and 11 points respectively.

Emma Witt led all scorers for Wesleyan with 26 points.
 

West Virginia State started strong, with Woods hitting two three-pointers early to put the Yellow Jackets on the board. Fortenberry added key baskets in the paint, while Goins connected on a three-pointer to extend the lead. However, West Virginia Wesleyan responded with a 7-0 run led by Witt and Shelby Genes to take the lead late in the period. WVSU's Hallie Bailey scored a fast-break layup off a turnover, but the Yellow Jackets trailed 20-18 at the end of the first quarter.

WVSU struggled offensively in the second quarter, shooting just 35.7% from the field. Wesleyan took advantage, with Desiree Roy and Witt dominating inside and extending the lead with an 8-0 run. Woods and Goins added three-pointers to keep the Yellow Jackets within striking distance, but Wesleyan closed the half strong, leading 38-33 at halftime.

WVSU opened the second half with a three-pointer from Woods to cut the deficit to two, but Wesleyan countered with a 6-0 run fueled by Witt's scoring and second-chance points. Fortenberry's rebounding provided opportunities for WVSU, but the team shot only 21.1% from the field in the quarter. Wesleyan capitalized on turnovers and extended their lead to 54-46 entering the final period.

In the fourth quarter, WVSU mounted a comeback attempt, with Goins hitting a three-pointer and Bailey converting a fast-break layup. Fortenberry scored inside to cut the deficit to six points midway through the quarter, but Witt and Roy continued to dominate for Wesleyan, pushing the lead back to double digits. Despite late three-pointers from Goins and Woods, WVSU fell short, losing 74-63.

State heads up I-79 to take on Glenville State on Wednesday, Jan. 22 for a 5:30 p.m. tip at the Waco Center.