West Liberty, W.Va. – Zakiyah Winfield connected on two free-throws with less than five seconds to play as the Lady Pioneers held on to defeat the Hilltoppers 101-98 in this evening's contest. Glenville State improves to 5-1 on the season as West Liberty falls to 2-3.
 
How It Happened
 
First Quarter:
 
West Liberty scored the first tear drop of the contest nearly two minutes deep into the first when Dazha Congleton then answered back with the same.
 
The Lady Pioneers gained a slight advantage 12-7 going into the first media timeout, but out of the break the Hilltoppers added a pair from the stripe to open a 13-2 run, falling behind 20-12.
 
The Blue and White then cut down their deficit 17-20 ending the first quarter with two jumpers by Kaylee Pierce and Zakiyah.
 
Second Quarter:
 
West Liberty maintained their lead throughout most of the second until Re'Shawna Stone sunk a bucket from deep to lead 32-31.
 
Jada Mitchll and Mashayla Cecil both hit two floaters then Dazha Congleton connected with Cecil for a three ball as both teams would trade baskets.
 
Connecting with Congleton, Jada Atkinson then sunk a three ball with an added freebie to send the Hilltoppers trailing 46-41.
 
At the half, Glenville State shot just 37% from the floor and 3-for-14 from behind the arc although forcing West Liberty into 14 turnovers and scoring 13 points in result of their turnovers. The Hilltoppers shot efficiently in the first half with 48.6% from the field and 27.3% from deep.
 
Third Quarter:
 
The Hilltoppers then came out to tie the contest at 49 a piece and against at 52 all. West Liberty added a few shots before Tyesha Taylor connected with Re'Shawna Stone for a three ball to trail just 55-58.
 
Down the stretch, both teams continued to trade baskets as the Hilltoppers held a five point avatatage though Abby Stoller then sunk double triples to shrink the gap.
 
Congleton then hit a floater to take the lead 69-68 before West Liberty added another shot before the end of the quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter:
 
In the fourth, Stoller, Taylor and Winfield continued with multiple freebies and a three ball from Mashayla Cecil to lead 83-80 with under six remaining in the contest.
 
Continuing to switch leads, Deja Atkinson and Re'Shawna Stone added two jumpers to slightly cushion their lead 93-89 with one-minute remaining.
 
WLU went 1-for-2 at the stripe before Stone connected with a three-point conversion to sit 96-90.
 
With under 30 seconds remaining, Winfield and Stone both added two pairs from the handout stripe to lead 99-94.
 
Cutting the deficit down to four, Winfield then sunk two vital free-throws with ten seconds remaining and hit the century mark and defeat the Hilltoppers 101-98.
 
Inside The Box Score
 
The Lady Pioneers shot just 43% from the floor and 8-for-25 from behind the arc tallying two blocks and 13 steals in the contest.
 
Zakiyah Winfield lead all scorers with 22 points with seven rebounds while gaining three steals with Re'Shawna Stone following behind chipping in 22 points.
 
Dazha Congleton and Abby Stoller both sunk double-digit numbers with 11 and 14 points, respectively. Stoller's twin numbers recorded all but two in the second half.
 
West Liberty shot 54% from the floor and maintain similar stat sheet numbers also lapsing eight shots from deep and 22 points off turnovers. The Hilltopppers were lead by Olivia Belknap and Arriana Manzay with 22 and 19 points.
 
Coming Up
 
The Lady Pioneers will travel to Frostburg State for a mid week clash against the Bobcats Wednesday January 27^th, tipping off at 5:00pm.