BUCKHANNON – The West Virginia Wesleyan Lady Bobcats put up a valiant fight against the Wheeling Jesuit Lady Cardinals, but they ultimately dropped a 62-48 decision today in Rockefeller Center.

Wheeling Jesuit entered the game with a 10-2 record and a ranking of fifth in the latest Atlantic Regional poll.

Wesleyan trailed early 7-0 but an Allie Browne three-pointer and a free throw by Mari Stewart pulled Wesleyan to within three, at 7-4.

Wheeling Jesuit extended their lead to 13-4 but Rachel Vandertoolen went on a one-player crusade as she scored the next 11 points of the game hitting three straight three-pointers and a jumper to give the Lady Bobcats a 15-13 lead with 3:17 left in the opening quarter.

Wheeling Jesuit ended the final three minutes on a 9-2 run to take a 22-17 advantage after one quarter of action.

After Wheeling Jesuit flipped in a basket to start the second quarter, Stewart went inside for a lay-up and Alexa Mortenson unleased a three-pointer to bring Wesleyan to within two, at 24-22, with 6:07 left in the first half.

Wheeling Jesuit scored the next seven points, but Stewart ended that run with a lay-up to make it a 31-24 contest.

The Lady Cardinals pushed their lead to 11, at 35-24, but Stewart ended the half with a trey as the Lady Bobcats went into the half down by eight, at 35-27.

Tara Goldman made a lay-up and Stewart popped in a short jumper just a minute into the third quarter to make it a 35-31 contest but the rest of the quarter was a disaster for Wesleyan as they only scored five points the rest of the quarter as Wheeling Jesuit took a 53-36 lead into the final quarter.

Wheeling Jesuit had a 56-36 lead, but Stewart made two straight three-pointers to make it a 14-point game, at 56-42, with 6:59 remaining.

The two teams traded baskets the rest of the fourth quarter.

The 48 points was a season-low for the Lady Bobcats offense.

At the same, it was the best defensive effort of the year for Wesleyan as the 62 points was the lowest output for an opponent this season.

Stewart, in just her fourth game back from an injury, had a double-double for the Lady 'Cats with 22 points and 15 rebounds.

Vandertoolen was the only other Lady Bobcat to reach double digits as she scored 11.

The loss dropped the Lady Bobcats to 1-9 overall and 0-7 in the Mountain East Conference.

They will return to action this Tuesday when they travel to West Liberty for a league game at 5:30 p.m.

West Liberty will enter the game with a 12-1 record overall and a perfect 7-0 conference mark.

(Photo courtesy of Peter Galarneau Jr.)