GLENVILLE, W.Va, - The Glenville State Lady Pioneers fell in a close game to West Virginia State on Wednesday night inside the Waco Center, 80-75. The loss ends GSU's four-game winning streak.

The game was back and forth throughout as neither team could gain an advantage on the other. Nwando Okigbo started the scoring off for the blue and white and Dejaan Schuler, Stevi Yancy and Jade Salters would knock down threes in the first quarter but the first ten minutes ended in a deadlock at 16. In the second, WVSU would pull ahead with baskets from Emyah Fortenberry, Ahjanae Young and Ashley Kerekes to make the score 35-32 in favor of the Yellow Jackets.

The Lady Pioneers had a run in them in the third quarter as Dream Cherry knocked down an early three-pointer, Payton James converted on a layup and Tynasia Bunting scored on a mid-range jumper to make the score 54-53 GSU with ten minutes to play. Early in the final quarter, Dream Cherry pushed up a layup to make the GSU lead five, however WVSU would score the next five points to tie the game. With under five minutes to play, James hit a huge shot from deep, giving the Lady Pioneers a four point lead but WVSU would take control of the game with an eight-to-zero run. Clutch free throws down the stretch from the Yellow Jackets to hold onto the win, 80-75.

Final Stats
West Virginia State
Emyah Fortenberry and Zakorrah Russell both notched 17 points to lead the team in scoring. Fortneberry also collected 19 rebounds on the night while Russell had four rebounds and two steals. Ashley Kerekes scored 10 points while knocking down two triples and Kenly Rogers recorded nine points and connected on three shots from beyond the arc.

Glenville State
Tynasia Bunting had 16 points to lead the way for the Lady Pioneers while knocking down five shots from the free-throw stripe and collecting eight rebounds. Dream Cherry and Nwando Okigbo both had 13 points each as Cherry had four rebounds and two steals while Okigbo had 11 rebounds and four assists. Jade Salters chipped in 11 points, nine rebounds and six steals to lead the team. Payton James had eight points and five steals on the night and Stevi Yancy had eight points and five assists.

Up Next For The Lady Pioneers
The Lady Pioneers conclude their three-game homestand on Saturday (Jan. 25) against Concord. Tip is slated for 2 p.m.