FAIRBANKS, Aka. – The West Liberty University women's basketball team dropped a 68-54 decision to Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) late Thursday night in the opening game of the North Star Invitational at the University of Alaska's Patty Center.

The Hilltoppers (3-2) suffered through a tough shooting night that prevented them from putting together an extended run at the Bears (4-1) coming down the stretch.

Lenoir-Rhyne took advantage of a big edge at the charity stripe to grab the momentum heading into intermission as West Liberty wasn't awarded a single free throw over the first 20 minutes while the North Carolina squad made 15 trips to the line.

That enabled the Bears to turn a 17-10 Hilltopper lead midway through the first half into a 33-26 Lenoir-Rhyne advantage at the break.

West Liberty, which shot just 36 percent (21-of-59) from the floor on the night, was held to just 10 points over the first 10 minutes of the second half and never got the margin under 7 points the rest of the way.

Kayla Ayers led all scorers for the Hilltoppers with 22 points while Hillary Southworth added a dozen points and Emily Blevins weighed in with 8 points and a game-high 8 rebounds.

Cameron Sealey and Caroline Laughter paced a balanced attack for the Bears with 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Lenoir-Rhyne had a 39-34 edge off the glass, made 15-of-25 free throws to go along with 10 assists and 11 turnovers.

West Liberty was just 5-of-6 from the line – all in the second half – and was charted with 12 assists and 17 turnovers.

The Hilltoppers take on host Alaska in the nightcap of Friday's tournament doubleheader. West Liberty and the Nanooks will tip off at 11:30 p.m. EST.