WHEELING, W.Va. -- West Virginia State's season ended Wednesday as No. 9 seed West Liberty held off a late push from the Yellow Jackets for a 78–72 win in the opening round of the MEC tournament at WesBanco Arena.

West Liberty (11-18, 6-14 MEC) led 37–32 at the half and took its largest advantage at 56–43 after three quarters. WVSU (12-16, 8-12 MEC) cut into the deficit with a 29-point fourth quarter, but the Hilltoppers went 28-of-39 at the foul line to close it out.

Baylee Goins scored 23 points for West Virginia State, while Imani Hickman added 21 and Emily Anthony hit four 3-pointers on the way to 14 points. Latisha Parris finished with 11 points.

Reagan Vinskovich led West Liberty with 24 points and eight rebounds. Anna Lucarelli scored 20 points, and Ana-Isabel Andersson Rodriguez added 15.

WVSU briefly pulled even at 37–37 on Anthony's 3-pointer with 8:35 left in the third, but West Liberty responded with a surge that rebuilt the margin into double figures before the final period. The Yellow Jackets got within four in the closing seconds on back-to-back 3s by Goins (0:14, 0:03), but the Hilltoppers sealed the game at the line.