INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia State's women's basketball team (7-9,4-6 MEC) stayed within striking distance for much of the night, but a decisive third quarter swung momentum as Glenville State (13-3,8-2 MEC) pulled away to top State in an 89–68 Mountain East Conference contest Wednesday evening inside the Walker Convocation Center.

After trailing by just five at the break, West Virginia State was undone by a difficult third quarter in which Glenville outscored the Yellow Jackets 29–12. The Pioneers capitalized on turnovers and second-chance opportunities during the stretch, creating separation that proved too much to overcome despite WVSU's push in the final 10 minutes.

Ahjanae Young led the Yellow Jackets with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Baylee Goins added 19 points behind four made three-pointers. Makayla Smith controlled the paint with a team-high 13 rebounds to go along with six points, and Imani Hickman contributed five points from the free-throw line.

West Virginia State showed resilience in the fourth quarter, outscoring Glenville 25–22 and finding offensive rhythm late, but the third-quarter gap ultimately dictated the outcome. The Yellow Jackets finished with 45 rebounds and continued to battle inside, scoring consistently around the rim and attacking the glass down the stretch.

WVSU will head to UC for the first leg of the Kanawha River Classic on Saturday, Jan. 24. The game is currently scheduled to tip at 2:00 p.m.