WEST LIBERTY W.Va. -- West Liberty (4-6) controlled the game from the beginning in an 80-43 decision over the West Virginia Wesleyan (2-8) women's basketball team at the Academic Sports and Recreation Complex on Sunday (Feb. 7). 
 
Leaders for WVWC
Abi Gabauer scored nine points while Cierra Tolbert tallied eight points and grabbed six rebounds. Courtney Wilfong scored eight points and Brittany Stawovy distributed four assists. 
 
Leaders for West Liberty
The Hilltoppers had four players score in double figures led by Olivia Belknap with 17 points. 
 
Team Stats
West Liberty shot 50.7 percent (34-for-67) from the field. The Bobcats finished with 20 bench points. 
 
Inside the First Half
Stawovy found Wilfong for an early bucket at the halfway point of the first quarter with the Bobcats trailing 10-4. Stawovy picked up another assist after Gabauer drilled a mid-range jumper as WVWC cut the first quarter deficit to 13-9 with 3:13 to go. The Hilltoppers ended the first quarter on a 7-2 stretch to lead 20-11 after one quarter. 
 
At the 4:32 mark of the second quarter, Tolbert spun in the lane and hit a jumper to bring Wesleyan within 28-18. West Liberty began to find separation, although Stawovy did score in the final minute of the first half as the Bobcats were behind 39-22 at halftime. 
 
Inside the Second Half
Tolbert picked up the second half where she left, scoring inside again for the first points of the third quarter. Over the next three-plus minutes, the Hilltoppers responded with a 10-run. West Liberty outscored WVWC, 19-6 in the third quarter. 
 
Freshmen Tamera Maple and Ariana Harmon made back-to-back jumpers within the first 90 seconds of the fourth quarter as the Hilltoppers led 60-32. Imani Jackson swished a triple with 3:14 remaining in the road setback. 
 
Up Next
WVWC women's basketball is scheduled to take on nearby Davis & Elkins on the road at 5 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 10).