ATHENS, W.Va. — West Virginia Wesleyan saw a strong second-half surge from Concord prove decisive in an 82–75 setback Tuesday evening inside the Carter Center. The Lady Bobcats move to 14–5 overall and 11–4 in Mountain East Conference play, while Concord improved to 16–7 overall and also 11–4 in league action.
Wesleyan opened the game with energy, racing to a 19–12 first-quarter advantage and continued to hold control for much of the first half, taking a 35–33 lead into the break after weathering a Concord push late in the second quarter.
Concord flipped the momentum coming out of halftime, shooting an impressive 81.8 percent from the floor in the third quarter. The Mountain Lions outscored Wesleyan 22–11 in the period, to take a 55–46 lead into the final stanza.
The Lady Bobcats started a comeback in the fourth quarter, pouring in 29 points and trimming the deficit to as few as two points late. Wesleyan shot 64.7 percent from the field in the period and knocked down three triples, with Witt, Dandridge and Young all delivering key baskets during the late rally. Despite the push, Concord answered at the free-throw line and from beyond the arc.
Emma Witt and Kilah Dandridge set the tone offensively for Wesleyan. Witt delivered a complete performance, finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds and a perfect 6-for-6 effort at the free-throw line while logging all 40 minutes. Dandridge matched Witt with 21 points, connecting on 9-of-19 shooting and adding five rebounds and two assists. Ana Young chipped in 16 points and two steals, while Sydney Baird added 13 points and four assists to round out a balanced Lady Bobcat attack.
Abbie Smith led all scorers with 24 points while adding seven rebounds, and the Mountain Lions received a major boost from their bench, which accounted for 22 points.
Wesleyan finished the night shooting 43.9 percent from the field and a perfect 11-for-11 at the foul line, while holding a 30–20 advantage in rebounds. Concord countered by shooting 52.5 percent overall and 54.5 percent from three-point range, with 22 points coming from its bench.
The Lady Bobcats return home to face the conference’s No. 1 team Glenville State University at the Rock on Valentine’s Day Saturday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m.
