Buckhannon, W.Va. - The West Liberty University women's basketball team had their three game win streak snapped in a hard fought 72-66 Mountain East Conference loss at West Virginia Wesleyan Wednesday night.  

The Hilltoppers struggled in the opening quarter and found themselves down 11, 20-9. 

But in the second quarter they doubled up the Bobcats 24-12 and when Anna Lucarelli hit a three at the buzzer the Toppers took a 33-32 lead into the locker room at the half.

Wesleyan opened the third quarter on an 8-0 run to grab a 40-33 lead. WLU was out scored 23-9 in the period and trailed 55-42 after three. 

The Bobcats would take a 57-42 lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Toppers would respond with a 13-0 run of their own to cut the lead to 57-55 with 5:33 remaining. 

A Bailee Smith layup with :22 seconds remaining cut the Cats lead to 68-66, but a pair of free throws from Sydney Baird would push the lead back to four with :17 seconds remaining as they would hold off the Hilltpoppers. 

Jenna Riccardo led the way for West Liberty with 15 points, Karli Anker added 13. 

Wesleyan's Emma Witt led all scorers with 37 points. 

With the loss the Toppers slip to 3-5 overall and 1-1 in MEC play. They return to action Saturday when they host Davis & Elkins at 2 p.m. at the ASRC. 

Game Details:

West Liberty 66  W.Va. Wesleyan 72 

Rockefeller Center

WLU: 3-5, 1-1 

WVW: 6-1, 3-0