By: Bryan Shepherd, Sports Information Director
Game Preview: West Virginia State vs. West Liberty
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 – 5:30 PM
Location: ASRC, West Liberty, W.Va.
Game Type: Mountain East Conference Women's Basketball
Team Records and Standings
- West Virginia State (WVSU): 8-9 overall, 4-7 MEC (8th place)
- West Liberty (WLU): 6-12 overall, 4-7 MEC (9th place)
Recent Performance
WVSU Last 5 Games
- 01/13/2025 – vs. Virginia St. L, 55-90
- 01/15/2025 – at Davis & Elkins W, 80-67
- 01/20/2025 – vs. West Va. Wesleyan L, 63-74
- 01/22/2025 – at Glenville St. W, 80-75
- 01/25/2025 – vs. Charleston (WV) L, 69-71
WLU Last 5 Games
- 01/11/2025 – vs. Fairmont St. L, 59-87
- 01/15/2025 – vs. Concord L, 65-68
- 01/18/2025 – at Glenville St. L, 68-96
- 01/23/2025 – at Point Park W, 68-56
- 01/25/2025 – at Wheeling L, 51-67
Head-to-Head History: WVSU vs. West Liberty
- Overall Record: WLU leads 25-15
- Conference Record: WLU leads 24-14
- Last Matchup: 12/14/2024 – WLU won 80-78 (at WVSU)
- Current Streak: WLU 1-game win streak
- Longest Win Streak (WVSU): 5 games (2019-2021)
- Longest Losing Streak (WVSU): 9 games (2/16/2004 - 2/17/2011)
- Home Record (WVSU): 7-9
- Away Record (WVSU): 5-12
- Neutral Site Record: 1-1
- Largest Margin of Victory (WVSU): W 90-64 (1/3/2017)
- Smallest Margin of Victory (WVSU): W 73-70 (1/11/2013)
Recent Matchups
- 12/14/2024: WLU 80, WVSU 78 (at WVSU)
- 01/31/2024: WVSU 91, WLU 80 (at WVSU)
- 12/09/2023: WVSU 78, WLU 61 (at West Liberty)
- 01/28/2023: WLU 101, WVSU 92 (at WVSU)
- 12/10/2022: WVSU 80, WLU 76 (at West Liberty)
Team Insights
West Virginia State (WVSU)
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Key Players:
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Strengths:
- Rebounding dominance – WVSU is 2nd in the MEC in total rebounds per game (47.41) and 1st in offensive rebounds (21.35 per game).
- Defensive pressure – WVSU forces turnovers effectively and ranks 2nd in the MEC in steals per game.
- Three-point shooting – Woods leads the league in three-pointers made per game (2.71).
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Challenges:
- Free throw struggles – WVSU ranks 9th in the MEC in FT percentage (64.3%), which has been costly in a close games.
- Field goal efficiency – The team shoots just 35.1% from the field (10th in the MEC), creating challenges in half-court offense.
West Liberty (WLU)
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Key Players:
- Bailee Smith – 14.78 PPG (6th MEC), 38.3% 3P% (1st MEC)
- Jenna Riccardo – 14.33 PPG (9th MEC), 47.5% FG% (5th MEC)
- Anna Lucarelli – 2.94 APG (10th MEC), 0.78 BPG (9th MEC)
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Strengths:
- Three-point shooting – West Liberty ranks 3rd in the MEC in 3P% (32.4%), led by Smith.
- Free throw efficiency – WLU is 4th in the MEC in FT% (71.1%), giving them an edge in close games.
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Challenges:
- Turnover issues – West Liberty ranks last in the MEC in turnover margin (-3.39) and commits the most turnovers per game (21.0).
- Rebounding struggles – The Hilltoppers are last in the MEC in offensive rebounding (10.0 per game) and 9th in defensive rebounding.
Coaching Matchup
Key Game Insights
- WVSU's dominance on the boards – Led by Fortenberry, the MEC's top rebounder, WVSU ranks 2nd in rebounding margin and 1st in offensive rebounding.
- West Liberty's 3-point defense vs. WVSU's shooters – WLU holds opponents to a league-best 25.0% from beyond the arc, but Woods leads the MEC in 3-point makes per game.
- The conference's two most prolific three-point shooters will go toe-to-toe – Bailee Smith (WLU) and Shanley Woods (WVSU) lead the MEC in three-pointers made per game. Smith leads the league at 38.3% from deep, while Woods follows at 36.8%.
- Turnovers and steals – WLU commits the most turnovers in the league (21.0 per game), and WVSU's Bailey ranks 2nd in steals per game.
- Key scoring matchup – Smith (WLU, 6th in MEC) and Riccardo (WLU, 9th in MEC) will challenge Fortenberry (WVSU, 15th in MEC) on both ends of the floor.
- Free throw efficiency gap – WLU is more reliable at the line, ranking 4th in free throw percentage (71.1%), while WVSU struggles at 9th (64.3%). The ability to capitalize on free throws may play a crucial role in a close game.
