FROSTBURG, Md. – The West Liberty University women's basketball team continued its February surge here Saturday afternoon with a 90-62 romp past Frostburg State in Mountain East Conference action at Bobcat Arena.
    It was the fifth win in the last six outings for Coach Kyle Cooper's surging Hilltoppers (7-7), who got a career-high 40 points from senior Olivia Belknap in completing a season sweep of the Bobcats (2-10).
    Heading into the final week of the regular season, Saturday's victory moved West Liberty into a tie with Wheeling for second place in the MEC North Division. The Cardinals dropped a 73-61 decision to division-leading Notre Dame on Saturday.
    Meanwhile, Belknap was enjoying a career afternoon in Maryland as the 5-7 senior guard from Dover, Ohio poured in 26 of her 40 points in the second half in the process of completely re-writing her personal record book.
    In addition to the 40 points, Belknap posted career highs in field goals (13), field goal attempts (24), 3-point field goals (6), 3-point field goal attempts (12), rebounds (12) and steals (4). The 40 points and 12 rebounds accounted for the first double-double of her career while the 40 points were the most by a Lady Hilltopper since Marissa Brown's 41 points against Concord on Jan. 19, 2019.
    West Liberty had run away to a 98-44 win against Frostburg in their first meeting back in January and never trailed during Saturday's rematch.
    The Bobcats stayed within striking distance for most of the opening half but the Hilltoppers still took a 46-34 advantage into the break. West Liberty opened up a 71-50 lead after three quarters and continued to pull away.
    Grace Faulk backed Belknap with 15 points and 7 rebounds for the Black and Gold while Ciara Thomas paced a trio of Frostburg State double digit scorers with 19 points.
    The Hilltoppers close out the regular season at home this week with a pair of crucial MEC North Division games. Next up is a visit from Fairmont State on Wednesday for a 5 p.m. tipoff. The regular season finale with Wheeling starts at 2 p.m. on Saturday.