BUCKHANNON – The West Virginia Wesleyan Lady Bobcats owned a better shooting percentage, a better three-point shooting percentage, had more assists and steals, but still couldn't get over that proverbial hump here Monday evening against the West Virginia State Lady Yellow Jackets.

The Lady Bobcats (0-9) remained winless on the season after suffering a 51-45 setback.

Wesleyan shot 35 percent from the floor hitting on 18 of their 52 shots and held State to just 32 percent as they knocked down 16 of 50 from the floor.

The main difference in the game was at the free throw line. While Wesleyan was only called for two more fouls (16-14), State was a red-hot 17-of-20 at the line while Wesleyan was only six-of-12.

Wesleyan fell behind early by a 9-4 score but Adrian Cunningham made a lay-up, Mari Stewart popped in a short-jumper then fired in a three-pointer to give Wesleyan an 11-9 lead with 13:52 showing on the clock.

State outscored Wesleyan over the next three minutes to retake the lead at 15-13, but Allyson Freiermuth (pictured) drained a jumper and then unleashed a three-pointer to give the lead back to Wesleyan at 18-15.

Cunningham added a free throw to treat Wesleyan to their biggest lead, at 19-15, with 6:15 left on the first-half clock.

State though outscored Wesleyan down the stretch by an 8-2 score to take a 23-21 lead into the intermission.

State maintained their two-point lead, at 28-26, at the 12:38 mark, but Stewart nailed a jumper and Cunningham knocked down two free throws to give Wesleyan a 30-28 advantage.

Following a Trina Current lay-up for State, Stewart turned in an old-fashioned three-pointer after being fouled on her lay-up. That gave Wesleyan a 33-30 lead with 7:41 remaining.

Over the next five minutes, State deadlocked the game at 40-40.

Freiermuth made a free throw to put the Lady Bobcats ahead at 41-40 with 2:17 left, but it was the last lead Wesleyan would own.

State went ahead by a 44-41 score before Stewart made a short jumper to bring Wesleyan to within one at 44-43, but State made four straight free throws to extend their lead to 48-43 with 23 seconds remaining.

Stewart scored again to cut it to 48-45, but State made three of their final four free throws to secure the win.

Stewart led all scorers with 20 points while Cunningham added 14 points.

Freirmuth led Wesleyan on the boards with eight rebounds.

Wesleyan will return to action Thursday when they host Notre Dame.

Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.

(Photo courtesy of Peter Galarneau Jr.)