Box Score WEST LIBERTY, W.Va.  – Senior guard Rachel Johnson (Frederick, Md./Frederick) reached the 1,000-point mark for her career, but West Liberty held on for a 90-87 win over Shepherd University in MEC women's basketball action at West Liberty on Thursday night. Kailee Howe scored a game-high 30 points to lead the Hilltoppers.

Johnson (1,004 points) had 13 points on the night.

Freshman guard Morgan Arden (Hanover, Pa./Spring Grove) led the Rams with 20 points on a 10-of-16 shooting effort.

Sophomore forward Liz Myers (York, Pa./Eastern York) added 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds, while senior center Gabby Flinchum (North Potomac, Md./Wootton) added 13 points.

Liz Flowers had 18 points, while Kierra Simpson added 16 for the Hilltoppers.

A close game throughout, Shepherd cut the West Liberty lead to two points at 89-87 after a jumper by Arden with seven seconds left.

Howe hit 1-of-2 free throw s in the game's final seconds to seal the win.

Shepherd shot 48.7 percent (38-78) from the floor with a 33.3 percent effort (3-9) from three-point range. The Rams shot 53.3 percent (8-15) from the charity stripe.

West Liberty connected on 43 percent (34-79) from the floor with a 30.4 percent (7-23) performance from beyond the arc. The Hilltoppers hit on 71.4 percent (15-21) of their free throws.

Rebounds were even at 46-all. The Rams forced 13 turnovers and committed 16.

Shepherd falls to 9-4, 6-1 in MEC action, while West Liberty improves to 9-4, 6-1. The Rams return to action on Saturday when they travel to UVa-Wise for a 2 p.m. contest.