GLENVILLE – The West Virginia Wesleyan Lady Bobcats (17-6, 11-5 MEC) rode a dominant fourth-quarter surge to take down the Glenville State Pioneers (15-9, 9-7 MEC) for a 83-73 victory at the Waco Center.
Trailing by one heading into the final period, the Lady Bobcats exploded for 31 points in the fourth quarter. Sydney Baird led the charge with a game-high 27 points, including four three-pointers and a clutch 9-for-10 from the free-throw line. Shelby Genes added 21 points, shooting 3-of-9 from deep, while Desiree Roy provided a strong inside presence with 14 points and 10 rebounds, securing a double-double.
West Virginia Wesleyan found itself in a tight battle through three quarters, with Glenville State clinging to a 59-58 lead at the start of the fourth. However, the Lady Bobcats flipped the script with a lights-out shooting performance, hitting 77.8% from the field (7-of-9) and converting 15-of-16 free throws (93.75%) to pull away late.
Baird was instrumental in the closing minutes, scoring seven of her 27 points in the final stretch. Genes also came through in crunch time, knocking down key free throws to extend the lead.
Glenville State had the upper hand early, taking a 34-28 lead into halftime thanks to a strong second quarter (23-15 advantage). The Pioneers shot 58.8% (10-of-17) in the second quarter, with Tynasia Bunting leading the charge. Bunting finished with 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while Nwando Okigbo contributed 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Despite Glenville’s offensive rhythm in the middle quarters, fourth-quarter woes ultimately cost them. The Pioneers shot just 28.0% (7-of-25) in the final frame and failed to make a single three-pointer in the last 10 minutes.
Key Stats and Takeaways
West Virginia Wesleyan shot 45.0% from the field (27-of-60), 38.9% from three (7-of-18), and an impressive 91.7% from the free-throw line (22-of-24).
Glenville State finished at 40.3% shooting (29-of-72), but struggled from beyond the arc at 29.2% (7-of-24).
Rebounding Battle: The Lady Bobcats dominated the glass, outrebounding the Pioneers 44-30, including a 14-16 edge in offensive boards.
Clutch Free Throws: Wesleyan’s near-perfect performance at the charity stripe (22-of-24) was a difference-maker down the stretch.
Turnovers: Glenville State forced 19 turnovers but couldn’t capitalize enough in transition.
Bench Impact: Glenville’s bench outscored Wesleyan’s 30-8, but the Bobcats’ starters delivered in key moments.
With the victory, Wesleyan strengthens its second-place position in the Mountain East Conference standings. The Lady Bobcats will look to build on the road Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the University of Charleston. Tip is 5:30 p.m.
