BUCKHANNON, W.Va. - The West Liberty University women's basketball team earned a 77-35 dominating victory Saturday afternoon at West Virginia Wesleyan holding the Bobcats to single digits in all but one quarter.
Corinne Thomas scored a game-high 25 points tying a career-high with seven three pointers on nine attempts from beyond the arc. Arriana Manzay charted a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Karly McCutcheon and Grace Faulk scored 12 and 11 points respectively.
The Hilltoppers (12-8, 10-4) jumped out of the gates with four three pointers in the first four-plus minutes to go up 12-2.
A 15-0 spurt in the early parts of the second quarter put the Black and Gold in firm control of the game and WLU held a 35-17 lead at the half. Thomas scored eight of the points on the run and spearheaded West Liberty's strong start with 14 first half points.
The Hilltoppers led by 20-plus for nearly the entire second half and stretched their lead to as many as 44 points in the final minute.
West Liberty held the Bobcats without a three pointer all game, while draining 14 triples shooting 45.2% beyond the arc. Overall, WLU shot 51% in the game and WVWC was held to 27.1% shooting.
The Black and Gold turned 17 Bobcat turnovers into 28 points, including 15 points off turnovers in the second quarter. On the fast break, West Liberty outscored Wesleyan 18-1.
The Hilltoppers assisted on 21 of their 26 made field goals. McCutcheon dished out a game-high six.
West Liberty will be on the road again on Wednesday at West Virginia State to take on the Yellow Jackets at 5:30 pm.