ELKINS, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Wesleyan (3-8) women's basketball team pulled away from Davis & Elkins (2-9) to win 68-57 with help from a pair of double-doubles by Abi Gabauer and Cierra Tolbert at the McDonnell Center on Wednesday (Feb. 10). 
 
"The girls collectively put together a good game," head coach Vicky Bullett said. "These kids picked each other up. The seniors want to win. We penetrated and found open shooters. Abi likes coming off of the bench and I like what she brings coming off of the bench." 
 
Leaders for WVWC
Gabauer finished just one point shy of her career-high with 25 points and hauled in 11 rebounds for a double-double. 
 
"I love this game so much," Gabauer said. "Any time I get the opportunity, I want to give my best. I have so much fun. My emotion shines through my game."
 
Tolbert notched her third double-double of the season (10 points and 14 rebounds). Tolbert exited the game with an injury in the third quarter. Malaika Kimmons stepped in for 10 points and six rebounds. 
 
Courtney Wilfong distributed six assists for the fourth time this season while Brittany Stawovy scored seven points and dished out four assists. 
 
Leaders for Davis & Elkins
Jamiyah Johnson recorded a double-double of 14 points and 17 rebounds. Jessica Eadsforth-Yates tallied 11 points with five assists.
 
Team Stats
Wesleyan outrebounded Davis & Elkins by a 50-44 margin and finished 9-for-10 from the charity stripe. 
 
Inside the First Half
Only 50 seconds into the contest, Kimmons was in the right place at the right time for a put-back to get WVWC on the board first. Wilfong connected on a corner trey to break the early deadlock for a 9-6 Wesleyan advantage at the halfway point of the opening quarter. 
 
Gabauer drained a triple from straightaway in the waning seconds of the first quarter to give the Bobcats a 16-14 edge after one. 
 
Symphonie Bryant-Brown found Tolbert on a slick bounce pass for a layup that put WVWC ahead, 29-28 with 2:01 left before halftime. Tolbert swished another shot as the Bobcats led 34-30 at the halftime break.
 
Inside the Second Half
Halfway into the third quarter, Stawovy buried a 3-pointer from the left wing for a 45-36 lead. D&E trimmed the margin to 45-41, but Gabauer converted a layup to put the Bobcats up six points with 1:43 left in the third quarter. 
 
Wesleyan quickled added to its 49-43 advantage after three quarters with a Gabauer right side trifecta only five seconds into the fourth frame. 
 
The Bobcats extended their lead with 4:45 remaining as good ball movement led to a Gabauer mid-range jumper. Kimmons worked inside for a layup with only 1:24 to go as the visitors were able to close out the Senators on the road, 68-57. 
 
"We just had to play our game and be patient," Gabauer said. "We were able to play as a team, get some points up and hold on."
 
Up Next
WVWC women's basketball is scheduled to return home on Saturday (Feb. 13) against No. 3 Charleston at 2 p.m.