GLENVILLE, W.Va. – West Virginia Wesleyan women’s basketball team flirted with an upset against MEC leading and No. 2 nationally-ranked Glenville State, losing 61-55. The Lady Bobcats outrebounded the Lady Pioneers but were forced into 21 turnovers in the loss.
A Laila Calhoun layup got Wesleyan on the board after Glenville’s Mo Pruitt got the scoring started for the two teams. Five Lady Bobcats found the scoring column in the opening quarter, led by Imani Jackson’s four points and five rebounds. GSU’s second leading scorer Mo Pruitt (15.1 PPG) sustained an injury at mid court and would not return the remainder of the game.
Glenville built their biggest lead through the game so far at 10 after a pair of Dream Cherry free throws with just over two minutes left in the half. Wesleyan used a quick 7-0 run to close the gap to 31-28 at the break. Wesleyan used one of Glenville’s weaknesses to their advantage, winning the rebound battle 29-16 through two quarters.
The Lady Pioneers came out of the half firing on all cylinders, going on a 8-0 run in the first minute and 15 seconds to go back up by double-digits. Wesleyan stayed afloat, using Daveona Hatchell’s quick buckets to combat with Glenville’s offensive spark. The Bobcats closed the gap once again, cutting it to just two but allowed GSU to take a 48-41 lead into the final quarter.
GSU’s Chalon Miles put the Lady Pioneers back up 10 in the opening seconds of the 4th Quarter with a wing three. Three straight layups by the Lady Bobcats put Wesleyan back in reach at 53-49. Glenville wouldn’t let the Lady Bobcats get any closer, closing the game out at 61-55.
Daveona Hatchell and Emma Witt both finished with 14 points and seven rebounds to lead the Lady Bobcats. Imani Jackson and M’laya Ainsworth pulled down nine rebounds each. Toledo transfer Mickayla Perdue led Glenville State with 15 points, including three makes from behind the arc. Breanna Campbell finished with four points, five assists, and nine rebounds in the win for GSU.
The Lady Bobcats return to action on Wednesday to face Frostburg State inside the Rockefeller Center at 5:30 p.m.
