INSTITUE, W.Va. -- The West Virginia State University Women's Basketball team used a dominant first half and a poised finish to secure a 66-61 Mountain East Conference victory over West Virginia Wesleyan College on Saturday afternoon at the Walker Convocation Center. Wesleyan entered the matchup at 16-5 overall and 13-4 in the MEC, while the Yellow Jackets stood at 11-13 and 7-10 in league play. Yellow Jackets found themselves celebrating twice this afternoon, as team leading Imani Hickman's 22 points pushed her past the 1000 career point mark.

West Virginia State set the tone in the opening quarter with one of its most efficient stretches of the season, shooting 66.7 percent from the field. Imani Hickman ignited a 12-0 run to open the game, scoring inside and knocking down a three-pointer as the Yellow Jackets raced ahead. The defense forced turnovers and limited Wesleyan to 4-of-15 shooting in the frame. By the end of the first quarter, State had built a commanding 23-11 advantage.

The Yellow Jackets extended their lead in the second quarter, pushing the margin to as many as 23 points. Kenly Rogers connected from beyond the arc, and Ahjanae Young added transition baskets to keep pressure on the Bobcats. WVSU's defensive presence in the paint disrupted Wesleyan's rhythm, while Baylee Goins controlled the glass and facilitated the offense. State carried a 38-21 lead into halftime, firmly in control.

Wesleyan made its move in the third quarter, shooting nearly 47 percent and trimming the deficit to single digits. Emma Witt sparked the rally for the Bobcats with tough finishes inside and a three-pointer, but WVSU answered each push. Young continued to attack the lane, and timely baskets kept the Yellow Jackets in front. Despite being outscored in the period, State maintained a 51-42 lead entering the fourth.

The final quarter featured a determined Wesleyan comeback attempt, as the Bobcats cut the deficit to four in the closing minutes. Witt finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds to pace the visitors, while Kilah Dandridge added 16 points. However, Hickman delivered key baskets down the stretch and finished with 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting to lead WVSU. Clutch free throws and defensive stops in the final two minutes sealed the 66-61 win, giving the Yellow Jackets a crucial conference victory heading into the final two games of the regular season.