BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – The West Liberty University women built a double-digit lead in the second half and held off a late Bluefield State rush here Thursday night to hand the Lady Blues a 70-68 loss at Ned Shott Gymnasium.

Coach Lynn Ullom's Hilltoppers (10-8, 7-5) never trailed in completing the season sweep of Bluefield State (4-15, 3-9) but the hosts certainly made things interesting down the stretch.

A 14-4 run ignited by a Jenn Cessna 3-pointer had given West Liberty its largest lead of the night, 59-48, with 8:10 left to play but the Lady Blues still had time to chip away at the deficit.

Two free throws by stellar sophomore center Shae Mebane pulled Bluefield State within a single point, 66-65, with 2:53 remaining and a Hilltopper turnover gave the Lady Blues a chance to take their first lead of the night.

Kayla Ayers blocked a potential go-ahead layup attempt by LaWanna Gravely and Jenn Cessna sprinted downcourt to drain a transition 3-pointer for a 69-65 West Liberty lead with 2:24 remaining.

Bluefield State closed the gap to 69-68 with 28 seconds left when Kelli Morgan scored on a drive to the hoop but that proved to be the end of the comeback trail.

West Liberty ran the clock down to 16 seconds before Cessna was fouled. The senior made 1-of-2 free throws and the 70-68 score held up when the Lady Blues missed a potential game-tying basket at the buzzer.

Ayers made a run at a triple-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the Hilltoppers. Hillary Southworth had 16 points while Cessna and Emily Blevins added 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Mebane had a career night with 27 points and 13 rebounds for the Lady Blues, who also got 14 points from Charlene Diggs.

West Liberty returns to action Saturday afternoon with a 2 p.m. game at Concord.

GAME NOTES

X This was the Hilltoppers' 18th straight win against Bluefield State. West Liberty downed the Lady Blues, 65-54, earlier this month at the ASRC.

X Half of the Hilltoppers' 24 field goals came from behind the 3-point arc

X Five different West Liberty players made at least one 3-point shot