WEST LIBERTY, W.Va.  – West Virginia Wesleyan erased an  11-point halftime deficit, but came up just short as West Liberty held on for a 76-72 win on Tuesday night.

Allie Browne registered a season-best 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including hitting 4-of-6 attempts from beyond the arc. Atavia Blake scored 20 points, while Brittany Maxey finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.

The Hilltoppers were paced by Liz Flowers' 20 points. Megan Wiseman added 19 points and eight rebounds.

The difference in the game was at the charity stripe, where West Liberty nailed 17-of-20 attempts while Wesleyan managed to make only 11-of-18. WL also held a 46-39 advantage on the glass for the game.

West Liberty took advantage of three turnovers by the Lady Bobcats as they raced to a 13-5 lead. Wesleyan cut the lead to 17-15 with a 6-0 jolt, Blake scored four of the six points. West Liberty countered with a 13-4 spurt to take a 30-19 lead, the run was ignited by a pair of three point buckets.  The Hilltoppers held a 39-28 lead at the break.

The Hilltoppers held a 28-19 advantage on the glass in the first 20 minutes. WL also made the most of their trips to the free throw line, sinking 9-of-11 while WVWC made 5-of-8.

West Liberty pushed its advantage to 15 in the second half, but the Lady Bobcats got back in the game with a 9-0 run that made the score 58-57 with just under six minutes to play. Maxey scored six of the nine points. The 'Toppers broke a 70-70 tie with a layup off a Wesleyan turnover to go in front 72-70. Wesleyan missed on its next possession and Flowers hit 4-of-4 free throws to close out the 76-72 win.

Wesleyan welcomes its final non-conference opponent of the year, Fayetteville State, on Saturday at 2 p.m.