ATHENS, W.Va. - After seeing a double-digit lead vanish in the third quarter, the West Liberty University women's basketball team heated up from long range, draining seven three pointers in the fourth quarter to power its way past conference foe Concord, 87-74, this evening inside the Carter Center.

The Hilltoppers (7-5, 5-2) went 5-for-7 (71.4%) from beyond the arc and shot 60% in the first quarter to build an early double-digit lead. Grace Faulk hit her second three of the opening period to kickstart a 10-1 run to put the Hilltoppers ahead by 16 (27-11) at the 30 second mark. The sides went back-and-forth in the second quarter as WLU took a 43-30 advantage into the break.

Concord (4-7, 2-5) flipped the script out of the locker room holding the Hilltoppers off the scoreboard for the first four minutes of the second half until Gracie Lyon was able to get the lid off the hoop. Seven straight points to begin the third quarter by CU made it a two-possession game. The Mountain Lions ended the frame outscoring WLU 23-11 to head to the final 10 minutes with the score 54-53 in favor of the Hilltoppers. 

Faulk and Corinne Thomas swished back-to-back three pointers to set the tone for the fourth quarter. The 'Toppers rallied seven triples on nine attempts and shot 76.9% from the floor in the final frame to secure the win. The teams battled shot for shot to start the fourth and saw the game tied at 69 with four minutes to play.

Karly McCutcheon drained a three to start a quick 11-0 spurt for West Liberty over the ensuing two and a half minutes. Faulk made back-to-back long balls to put WLU up double digits, while Sonia Sarda added a lay-in.

McCutcheon added one more triple and the Hilltoppers went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 20 seconds to seal the deal.

Faulk finished with a career-high 21 points on 6-of-9 shooting, all from beyond the arc, and three free throws. Sarda went 7-for-8 from the line and totaled 15 points on the evening, the most in her Hilltopper career. McCutcheon chipped in 14 points with three long balls. The Black and Gold shared the wealth totaling 10 'Toppers in the scoring column. 

West Liberty held a major advantage overall from beyond the arc shooting 46.4% (13-for-28), while holding Concord to just one three pointer in five attempts. The Hilltoppers also capitalized on their chances from the charity stripe going 20-for-24.

Anna Lucarelli dished out a game-high seven assists, tying her career-high for the third time this season. The 'Toppers assisted on 15 of their 27 made baskets in the win.

West Liberty will be back at home on Saturday for a matchup against Glenville State at 2 pm inside the ASRC.

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