FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Glenville State Lady Pioneer Basketball team took ahold of first place in Mountain East Conference with a 79-71 win at Fairmont State on Saturday (Jan. 31) as Khalia Bryant had a career day with 26 and 18 rebounds. The Lady Pioneers have now won 13 of their last 14 contests and sit at (16-3, 11-2 MEC).

1st Half
A matchup of two good defenses, the game was low scoring and close throughout. In the first quarter, FSU raced out to a quick lead on their home floor, but Payton James knocked in the first score for the Lady Pioneers from beyond the arc and Keanti Thompson connected on a three-ball to give GSU a one-point lead after ten minutes. In the second stanza, points were hard to come by, and Glenville State could not extend their lead, but scores from Nwando Okigbo and Jayda Allie made the score 38-36 at the halftime break.

2nd Half
After the intermission, Carine Pinkney scored the first basket for the road team, and buckets from Wonder Nkoyock and Nylah Davis extended the lead, however, FSU scored the final four points of the quarter to make it a 58-56 game after three quarters. In the final period, the Lady Pioneers would outscore the Falcons by six to capture the statement victory. Khalia Bryant knocked down two free throws to start the quarter, and Stevi Yancy extended the lead to 64-58 with a good jumpshot. Bryant then connected on a layup with 1:27 to play to push the lead to eight, and three free-throws from Yancy, and two from James iced the game for the blue and white, 79-71.

Final Stats
Fairmont State
Haylen Cook led the Falcons with 17 points while grabbing six rebounds. Gabby Reep had 16 points with Leila Jones and Ryan Davis producing 12 points each. Zaniya Murray had nine points in the defeat.

Glenville State
Khalia Bryant led the game in scoring and rebounding with 26 and 18, and the Lady Pioneers had two other double-figure scorers as Carine Pinkney and Stevi Yancy both had ten points each. Jayda Allie and Keanti Thompson both chipped in seven, while Nwando Okigbo, Nylah Davis, and Payton James all had five points.

Up Next For The Pioneers
Glenville State will be on the road Wednesday (Feb. 4) to take on Point Park in Pittsburgh. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m.