INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- West Virginia State's offensive prowess was undercut by a combination of scoring droughts and Wheeling's top three scoring defense in a 58-45 loss for the Yellow Jackets in the Walker Convocation Center on Saturday afternoon. WVSU had several significant scoring droughts during the game, the longest being a drought over the final 6:19 of the first quarter. Then, in the final period, WVSU wasn't able to score a field goal until there was 6:14 to play.

WVSU falls to 8-11, 4-9 in the Mountain East. Wheeling improves to 12-8, 8-4 in the MEC

ZZ Russell was WVSU's top scorer on the night, only managing eight points. Emyah Fortenberry added 17 rebounds to her total. She had 976 boards coming into tonight and will need seven more to become the first women's basketball player in West Virginia State history to grab 1000 career rebounds.

Wheeling's Emelia Sierra Lacosta led all scorers with 15 points for the Cardinals.

WVSU took the first lead of the game with a layup at 9:24 and maintained the advantage for most of the period. Wheeling tied the score at 7-7 with 4:49 remaining and then took its first lead at 2:58 with a three-pointer, going up 10-7. WVSU went without a field goal for the final 6:19 of the period, contributing to Wheeling extending its lead. Wheeling closed the quarter ahead 11-7.

Wheeling outscored WVSU in the second period, extending its lead with strong shooting from beyond the arc. Wheeling built momentum by capitalizing on turnovers and second-chance opportunities. WVSU struggled offensively late in the quarter, going over three minutes without a basket before finally scoring in the final 30 seconds. By the end of the period, Wheeling had taken control, leading 32-20 at halftime.

WVSU started the third period with a tip-in by Ashley Kerekes at 9:12, but Wheeling quickly answered with a jumper to maintain their lead. WVSU managed to add points with baskets from Baylee Goins at 7:44, ZZ Russell at 6:37, and Hallie Bailey at 5:21. Bailey also converted a three-point play at 4:07, bringing WVSU within 11 points. However, Wheeling responded with a three-pointer at 3:27 and closed the quarter with two quick layups in the final 21 seconds, extending their lead to 49-35.

WVSU struggled to score early in the fourth quarter, not recording their first points until 6:14, when Emyah Fortenberry converted a layup and a free throw to make it 52-38. Wheeling continued to control the game, maintaining a double-digit lead throughout the period. WVSU added baskets from Latifat Olatunji at 4:21 and 2:22, but they never closed the gap to any closer than 11 points. Wheeling's defense forced multiple turnovers, and despite a late fast-break layup by Ashley Kerekes at 0:28 to bring the score to 58-45, WVSU was unable to mount a serious comeback.

State will host the Frostburg State Bobcats inside the Walker Convocation Center on Wednesday, February 5 at 5:30 p.m.