BLUEFIELD, W.Va. - The West Liberty University women's basketball team dropped its non-conference finale, 82-60, at Bluefield State Monday evening.

The Big Blue (8-9) scored 18 straight points out of the halftime break, holding West Liberty (9-7) off the scoreboard for the opening five minutes of the third quarter to take control of the contest. Jenna Riccardo finally got the Hilltoppers on the board with an and-one after an offensive rebound at the five minute mark, but the Black and Gold could not string a run together resulting in the loss. Bluefield State scored 11 points in the first 1:18 of the second half and held a double-digit lead for the rest of the game.

Bluefield State took advantage of some early foul trouble by Arriana Manzay ending the first quarter on an 8-0 run to take a five point lead into the second frame. Karly McCutcheon drained three triples in the second quarter, as West Liberty came back to tie the game, 32-32, at the halfway point. The Hilltoppers outshot the Big Blue 7-1 from beyond the arc in the first half and held BSU off the scoreboard from deep in the second quarter.

Natalija Sekulovska swished a pair of three pointers in a row midway through the fourth quarter, but Bluefield State was quick to shut down the 'Topper run.

McCutcheon and Sekulovska finished with 11 points apiece to lead the Hilltoppers. All 10 Hilltoppers pulled down a rebound, McCutcheon paced the group with eight.

West Liberty ended the game shooting 33.3% from the field, while Bluefield State knocked down 57.9% of its shots. The Black and Gold had the overall edge from beyond the arc draining 11 threes compared to BSU's four, but was outscored in the paint 46-12.

West Liberty will be back in MEC play on Wednesday taking on Alderson Broaddus inside the ASRC. Tip off on the hilltop is set for 5:30 pm.

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