WHEELING, W.Va. — In one of the most dramatic games of the season, the West Virginia Wesleyan College women's basketball team outlasted Wheeling University in overtime, escaping the Alma McDonough Center with a heart-pounding 60–59 Mountain East Conference victory Wednesday evening.
 
The contest featured 11 ties and six lead changes, and it wasn't decided until the final seconds of overtime, as Wesleyan improved to 13-4 overall and 10-3 in MEC play.
 
After multiple early misses, Allie Daniels opened the scoring with a tip-in off an offensive rebound just 42 seconds into the game. Wesleyan controlled the paint early, with Daniels and Emma Witt crashing the glass repeatedly to generate second-chance points.
 
Wheeling responded behind Kenzie Dalton, but Wesleyan answered every push. Kilah Dandridge closed the first quarter with a tough jumper in the lane in the final seconds to give the Bobcats a 13–11 edge.
 
The second quarter turned into a grind, with both teams trading baskets and momentum swings. Witt converted free throws and finished through contact, while Sydney Baird and Kadie Colebank provided timely scoring. Dalton briefly brought Wheeling level with a fast-break finish, but Colebank calmly knocked down two free throws at the horn to send Wesleyan into halftime up 25–23
 
Wheeling came out firing in the third, shooting over 50 percent in the period and seizing control with a balanced attack. A pair of three-pointers by Emilia Sierra Lacosta, coupled with Dalton's finishing ability in transition, pushed the Cardinals to a five-point lead late in the quarter.
Wesleyan weathered the storm behind Dandridge, who scored inside and out, including a crucial three late in the period to keep the Bobcats within striking distance. Still, Wheeling carried a 41–36 advantage into the fourth after outscoring Wesleyan 18–11 in the frame
 
The Bobcats responded with urgency. Witt scored three straight baskets inside to pull Wesleyan within one, and Dandridge followed with a strong finish and two free throws to reclaim the lead midway through the quarter.
 
Wesleyan's defense tightened, forcing turnovers and holding Wheeling to just 3-of-11 shooting in the period. Still, the Cardinals refused to fold. Dalton converted free throws in the final seconds to tie the game at 52–52 after a missed second attempt, sending the contest to overtime
 
Overtime was pure drama. Ana Young ignited the extra period with a fast-break layup, and Dandridge answered every Wheeling score with strong finishes in the paint. After Dalton gave Wheeling a brief one-point lead at the line, Baird delivered the defining moment — a pull-up jumper in the lane with 2:16 remaining to put Wesleyan ahead 60–59.
 
From there, it was about defense and poise. The Bobcats forced late misses, secured critical rebounds, and Avery Childers grabbed the final defensive board after Wheeling missed two free throws in the closing seconds, sealing the overtime escape
 
The Bobcats shot 47.2 percent from the field and an impressive 80 percent in overtime, showcasing composure under pressure
 
Wheeling was led by a standout performance from Kenzie Dalton, who poured in a game-high 26 points while playing all 45 minutes, consistently attacking the rim and keeping the Cardinals within striking distance throughout regulation and overtime. Emilia Sierra Lacosta added 15 points, knocking down three triples, while Emma Reynolds chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.
 
With the win, Wesleyan continues to position itself near the top of the MEC standings with a docket of top conference opponents ahead on the schedule beginning with West Liberty University who visits the Rockefeller Center on Saturday, Feb. 7 for a 2 p.m. tip.