WEST LIBERTY – For one half, it looked like the West Virginia Wesleyan Lady Bobcats were going to pull off a huge upset against the 15th-ranked West Liberty Hilltoppers today in a Mountain East Conference contest.

The Lady Bobcats were up at the half by a 28-25 score, but wound up getting outscored by a 64-41 margin in the second half and lost an 89-69 decision.

Wesleyan roared out a quick 9-0 lead after six minutes of action.

Mari Stewart (pictured) hit a jumper, Allie Browne nailed a 10-footer, Stewart knocked down two free throws and Brooke Richard uncorked a three-pointer during the run.

West Liberty didn't get on the scoreboard until the 3:30 mark of the opening quarter when Kierra Simpson made a jumper.

West Liberty went on a 10-2 run to close the gap to 11-10, but Stewart wrapped up the first-quarter scoring with a jumper to treat Wesleyan to a 13-10 advantage after 10 minutes of action.

Scoring was at a premium early in the second quarter.

At the 8:21 mark of the second quarter, West Liberty hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 13-13.

Wesleyan connected on their first basket of the quarter at the 6:32 mark when Tara Goldman made a jumper to give the Lady 'Cats the lead again at 15-13.

Alexa Szelong canned a jumper and Stacy Remer added a free throw to give Wesleyan an 18-13 lead with 5:37 remaining in the half.

With 11 seconds remaining in the half, Allie Browne fired in a three-pointer to give Wesleyan a 28-22 lead.

Wesleyan though was called for a technical foul.

West Liberty made one of two at the line and then sank a jumper at the buzzer to make it a 28-25 game at the intermission

West Liberty scored the first four points of the second half for a 29-28 lead but Richard hit a 12-footer to return the lead to Wesleyan at 30-29 with 1:24 gone in the third quarter.

It was the last lead Wesleyan would own as West Liberty went on a 7-0 run to take a 36-30 advantage with 6:55 left in the third quarter.

West Liberty outscored Wesleyan by a 25-19 margin the rest of the quarter to build a 61-49 lead.

Stewart made two free throws to start the fourth quarter to bring Wesleyan to within 10, but that was as close as the Lady 'Cats could get.

West Liberty outscored Wesleyan by a 28-20 margin in the final quarter.

Stewart led the way for the Lady Bobcats with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Browne added 12 points while Richard added nine.

Wesleyan outrebounded West Liberty by a 42-41 margin.

West Liberty was credited for 27 assists on 33 field goals while Wesleyan on dished out six assists on 28 made baskets.

The loss dropped Wesleyan to 1-10 overall and a 0-8 in the MEC.

They will return to action this Saturday when they host Charleston in an MEC contest at 2 p.m.