ELKINS, W.Va. – The West Virginia Wesleyan (2-10, 1-9) women’s basketball team fell at Davis & Elkins (4-11, 1-9) on Saturday afternoon by a 67-57 score at the McDonnell Center in Elkins, W.Va..
WVWC Leaders
Cierra Tolbert netted 19 points, good for a season-high. Tolbert shot 7-13 from the field and made five out of six free throws. She pulled down seven defensive rebounds on the day. Symphonie Bryant-Brown (14) and Courtney Wilfong (10) each contributed double-digit point totals. Bryant-Brown tallied four steals and three assists.
Davis & Elkins Leaders
Dream Cherry had a game-high 28 points, making four three-point baskets. Marissa Berlin snagged 19 boards and collected 14 points.
Inside the First Half
Trailing 3-2 in the first quarter, the Lady Bobcats ignited an eight-point scoring run to take an early 10-3 lead. The run was capped off by a steal and score by Bryant-Brown that forced a D&E timeout. The Senators closed the gap to a one-point with 4:31 left in the first frame. The Lady Bobcats extended their lead to six points at the end of the quarter.
Wesleyan increased their lead to double-digits after Tolbert got a layup and a foul. The Fishers, Ind., native converted the free-throw to give WVWC a 27-16 lead. Malaika Kimmons put back a layup after a missed free throw that gave the ‘Cats a 30-18 advantage with 6:48 to go in the half. The Senators cut the deficit to seven points, but the visitors lead 32-25 at the break.
Inside the Second Half
Cherry converted a three at the 7:05 mark in the third quarter that gave D&E their first lead since the third quarter. Wilfong tied the score at 37 after making a triple. The Bobcats regained the lead when Wilfong made a jump shot with 3:26 to go in the third quarter. WVWC held a 50-49 lead going into the final quarter of play.
The Senators retook the lead after making a three-pointer with 8:26 left in the fourth. A Bryant-Brown basket turned the lead back over to the Bobcats at the 6:40 mark. Kamryn Williamson made a bucket that gave WVWC a three-point lead with 5:16 to go. The Senators responded and went on a 13-point scoring run to close out the game and secure the win, 67-57.
Up Next
Wesleyan will play its third consecutive road game on Monday when they will travel to Institute to play West Virginia State at 6 p.m.