BUCKHANNON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Wesleyan (5-10) women's basketball team never trailed in a 75-56 win over Davis & Elkins (2-13) at the Rockefeller Center on Saturday (Feb. 27).
 
"We needed to improve on the defensive end in the second half," head coach Vicky Bullett said. "I thought we started off well but we slowed down in the second quarter. I encouraged our team to fight for our seniors and I am proud we got the job done."
 
Leaders for WVWC
Courtney Wilfong scored 14 points, had eight rebounds and distributed six assists. Malaika Kimmons tallied 14 points and hauled in nine rebounds. 
 
On Senior Day, Summer Matlack scored 10 points and dished out five assists. Fellow senior Brittany Stawovy scored 11 points with six rebounds and four assists. In her last game inside the Rockefeller Center, Abi Gabauer nearly put together a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds. 
 
Leaders for Davis & Elkins
Jamiyah Johnson scored 16 points and collected 13 rebounds for a double-double. 
 
Team Stats
Wesleyan shot 46.3 percent (31-for-67) from the field and outrebounded the Senators by a 50-38 margin.
 
Inside the First Half
Nearly halfway through the first quarter, Matlack drilled a 3-pointer from the corner off of a Wilfong assist for an early 14-5 advantage. The Bobcats led 19-13 at the end of the opening quarter. 
 
Symphonie Bryant-Brown connected on back-to-back shots in the first minute of the second quarter as Wesleyan controlled a 23-15 lead. Wilfong knocked down a mid-range jumper to put the Bobcats ahead 33-18 with 4:27 remaining in the first half. Davis & Elkins cut the deficit to 39-33 at halftime. 
 
Inside the Second Half
Kimmons sank a baseline jumper at the 7:44 mark of the third quarter to push the difference back to double-digits at 47-37. Cierra Tolbert returned to the court and scored with 6:22 to go in the third frame as the Bobcats led 51-37. Wesleyan carried a 63-45 lead into the fourth quarter and it was the final quarter to be played at home for the WVWC seniors. 
 
"I was definitely emotional," Stawovy said. "We are always excited for games, but today was special since it was our last time taking this court at home. I had a lot of fun today."
 
With 4:42 left in regulation, Gabauer buried a baseline jump shot and a couple of minutes later, she converted a layup to put the game out of reach (75-55). 
 
"I think the whole team brought energy today," Gabauer said. "We had a great start and a great finish. We hope it carries into the playoffs because we are ready to go."
 
Up Next
WVWC women's basketball will travel to the Walker Convocation Center in Institute, W.Va., for a Mountain East Conference Tournament first round matchup against West Virginia State on Monday, March 1 at 7 p.m.