Box Score

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – West Virginia Wesleyan (3-2, 2-1 MEC) held off Shepherd University (4-3, 1-2 MEC) for a 76-69 win in MEC women's basketball action at West Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday night.

Senior guard Morgan Arden (Hanover, Pa./Spring Grove)  led the Rams with a game-high 25 points, while junior guard Kari Lankford (York, Pa./West  York Area) added 23.

Arden hit on 7-of-17 field goals with a 1-of-4 effort from three-point range. She was 10-of-10 from the foul line.  She added five assists and four steals. Lankford hit on 10-of-15 shots from the floor with a 3-of-5 effort from the charity stripe. She added a game-high seven assists, seven rebounds, and four steals.

Tyra Hughes led the Bobcats with 15 points and six assists. Mari Stewart added 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Tara Goldman had 11 points and 12 boards.  

West Virginia Wesleyan had a 28-26 lead at the break.

The Rams rallied to within a point at 70-69 when Lankford hit 1-of-2 free throws with five seconds left in regulation. The Bobcats hit 6-of-6 free throws in the game's final seconds to seal the victory.

Shepherd shot 40.3 percent (25-62) from the floor with an 18.8 percent effort (3-16) from three-point range. The Rams drained 84.2 percent (16-19) of their free throws.

West Virginia Wesleyan hit on 33.3 percent (22-66) from the floor with a 21.1 percent (4-19) performance from beyond the arc. The Bobcats connected on 87.5 percent (28-32) of their free throws.

West Virginia Wesleyan had a 46-41 edge in rebounds. Shepherd forced 16 turnovers and committed 17.

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they host Glenville State at 2 p.m. for Alumni Day. The 2007-08 WVIAC Champion and NCAA II East Region Runner-up Shepherd team will be honored at halftime.