Women's Basketball | 2/16/2017 8:25:00 PM

Box Score WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University women's basketball team sprinted out to a 15-point lead midway through the first quarter and was never challenged Thursday night in coasting to an 85-71 victory against West Virginia Wesleyan at the ASRC.
Coach Lynn Ullom's Lady Hilltoppers (8-17, 7-12) wasted no time taking charge in completing the season sweep of the Bobcats (6-16, 6-13).
When Marissa Brown powered inside for a layup to snap a 2-2 tie as the first-quarter clock ticked under 9 minutes, it sparked a 17-2 WLU run that all but put the game on ice.
Five West Liberty players scored during the surge which was capped by back-to-back 3-pointers from senior Emily Bucon, giving the hosts an overwhelming 19-4 lead with more than 4 minutes still to play in the opening quarter.
"We got out of the gate quickly and made a lot of shots early," Ullom said. "That forced Wesleyan to play uphill most of the night and as short-handed as they are with their injuries, it's hard to come back from that kind of deficit."
After settling for a 28-15 lead at the quarter, West Liberty carried a 46-31 bulge into the locker room at the break and led by as many as 24 points in the second half. Wesleyan scored the last nine points of the game against the Hilltopper reserves to make the final score more respectable.
McKenna Shives led a balanced attack for West Liberty with 20 points to go along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists but the dynamic point guard had plenty of help. 
Brown, a 6-3 sophomore post, finished with 18 points on 8-for-9 shooting before fouling out while fellow sophomore post Allie Farina added 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting off the bench to go along with a game-high 8 rebounds.
Bucon and Brandi Beader rounded out the double-figure scoring parade with 13 and 12 points, respectively, as West Liberty shot 55 percent (30-of-55) from the floor and 46 percent (10-of-22) from the 3-point arc.
"Our two posts were a combined 14-of-16 from the floor," Ullom said, "and we had 10 3-pointers as a team. When we get production inside and outside, we can play with anybody."
Tara Goldman led Wesleyan with 20 points while Destinee Tunstall and Stacy Remer added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
The Hilltoppers close out their home schedule on Saturday afternoon against Glenville State. Tipoff for the Senior Day contest is set for 2 p.m. at the ASRC.