West Liberty, WV – In a hard-fought Mountain East Conference showdown, West Virginia Wesleyan (15-5, 10-4 MEC) held off a strong second-half rally from West Liberty (8-14, 6-9 MEC) to claim a 61-53 road victory at the ASRC on Saturday afternoon.

The Bobcats wasted no time establishing its dominance, racing to a 22-13 lead by the end of the first quarter. Senior forward Emma Witt was unstoppable early, scoring inside at will and finishing with a game-high 25 points and 12 rebounds on the night. The Bobcats shot an efficient 62.5% (10-of-16) from the field in the opening quarter, while West Liberty struggled to find a rhythm.
 
Wesleyan's defense clamped down even tighter in the second quarter, holding the Hilltoppers to just five points in the period. The Bobcats built a 19-point lead at one point, fueled by solid interior play from Desiree Roy, who notched a double-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks. The halftime score stood at 34-18 in favor of Wesleyan, as West Liberty shot just 18.2% (2-of-11) in the second quarter.
 
Coming out of halftime, the Hilltoppers responded with a sense of urgency. Bailee Smith, who led West Liberty with 23 points, caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting multiple three-pointers as the hosts outscored Wesleyan 20-11 in the third quarter. Guard Halley Smith also contributed with key buckets, bringing West Liberty within striking distance at 45-38 heading into the final period.
 
The Hilltoppers continued to push in the fourth, cutting the deficit to as little as five points (47-42) after Jenna Riccardo's layup. But every time West Liberty threatened, Wesleyan had an answer. Witt and Roy combined for crucial baskets, and Shelby Genes' three-pointer with 6:15 remaining pushed the lead back to 10 (52-42), swinging momentum back to the Bobcats.
 
Despite West Liberty's best efforts, Wesleyan's rebounding and composure in the final minutes secured the win. The Bobcats outrebounded the Hilltoppers 37-28, with Roy and Witt dominating the glass. Free throws by Sydney Baird and Roy in the final two minutes iced the game, securing a tough road victory.
 
Key Takeaways:

• Emma Witt's Dominance: 25 points, 12 rebounds, 10-of-20 FG
• Desiree Roy's Inside Presence: 15 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Bailee Smith's Scoring Surge: 23 points, 4-of-8 3PT
• West Liberty's Second-Half Rally: Outscored Wesleyan 35-27 after halftime
• Rebounding Battle Won: Wesleyan 37, West Liberty 28

 
With the win, Wesleyan strengthens its position as the No. 2 team in the MEC standings. Sunday, Feb. 9, in a makeup game from an earlier postponement, the women host the Warren Wilson Owls (N.C.) at 1 p.m.