Wesleyan's women's basketball team battled back from an early deficit but ultimately fell to the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets, 66-61, Saturday afternoon inside the Walker Convocation Center.
 
The loss drops Wesleyan to 16-6 overall and 13-5 in Mountain East Conference play, while West Virginia State improves to 12-13 overall and 8-10 in league action.
 
State wasted no time seizing control, opening the contest on a 12-0 run fueled by hot perimeter shooting and aggressive play in the paint. Imani Hickman scored seven quick points during the stretch, including a three-pointer at the 6:55 mark that forced a Wesleyan timeout.
 
The Yellow Jackets shot a blistering 66.7 percent (10-of-15) from the field in the opening period and knocked down three of four from beyond the arc.
 
Wesleyan, meanwhile, struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting just 4-of-15 in the quarter. Despite a late spark from Kilah Dandridge at the free-throw line, the Bobcats trailed 23-11 after one.
 
West Virginia State continued to build its advantage in the second quarter, pushing the margin to as many as 23 points (36-13) midway through the period. Kenly Rogers buried a three-pointer at the 4:48 mark to stretch the lead, while Baylee Goins controlled the glass throughout the half.
 
Wesleyan closed the half with improved execution, highlighted by a Rebekha Rupert tip-in and a jumper from Emma Witt, but entered the locker room trailing 38-21.
 
The Bobcats came out of halftime with renewed energy, shooting 47.4 percent in the third quarter. Witt sparked the run with back-to-back jumpers, and Dandridge converted a layup off a steal to trim the deficit to 13.
 
A pivotal moment came at the 4:34 mark when Witt drilled a three-pointer to cut the lead to 10 (32-42). Abby McDonough added a strong finish in the paint, and Wesleyan outscored State 21-13 in the period to pull within 51-42 heading into the fourth.
 
The Bobcats continued to chip away in the final frame. Witt converted an and-one opportunity at the 7:57 mark to make it a six-point game (49-55). Dandridge later scored in transition with 2:00 remaining to bring Wesleyan within four at 63-59.
 
However, Hickman answered with a crucial three-pointer at the 1:39 mark to extend the lead back to seven. Witt kept the pressure on with a late layup with 11 seconds remaining, but the Bobcats were unable to get the final defensive stop.
 
Emma Witt led all scorers with 24 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, shooting 9-of-18 from the field and 5-of-5 from the line. Kilah Dandridge added 16 points, including 4-of-4 from the stripe.
 
Wesleyan outrebounded West Virginia State 45-33 and the Bobcats scored 32 points in the paint and 15 points off turnovers.
 
For West Virginia State, Hickman paced the Yellow Jackets with 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting, while Ahjanae Young added 18. Goins contributed 12 rebounds and eight assists.
 
Wesleyan will look to regroup as the regular season enters its final stretch of Mountain East Conference play. The Bobcats host Fairmont State University in its final home contest on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Tipoff is 2 p.m. Admission is free.