WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – Marissa Brown scored a team-high 30 points to lead West Liberty (6-4, 3-2 MEC) to a 96-72 win over Shepherd (3-5, 1-4 MEC) in MEC women's basketball action at West Liberty on Wednesday.

Brown hit on 14-of-24 field goals with a 2-of-3 effort from the charity stripe. She also grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.

Sophomore forward Sydney Clayton (Frederick, Md./St. John's) added a career-high 35 points to pace the Rams. She hit on 16-of-24 field goals with a 3-of-4 effort from the line. She grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds. Her 35 points are the most by a Ram this season.

Freshman guard Hannah Myers (York, Pa./Eastern York) added  nine points, senior guard Kayla Tibbs (Leesburg, Va./Heritage/Glenville State) tossed in eight, while sophomore guard Marley McLaughlin (Haymarket, Va./Battlefield) had six points, six rebounds, and four assists. Senior guard Kari Lankford (York, Pa./West  York Area) contributed five points and eight boards.

The Hilltoppers had five players in double figures as Brandi Beader had 16 points, Taylor Johnson added 15, Morgan Brunner had 11, while Audrey Tingle tossed in 10.

West Liberty had a 55-25 lead at the break as Brown (16), Johnson (11), and Beader (10) all scored in double figures in the first half. The Hilltoppers shot 56.1 percent (23-41) from the floor in the first stanza.

Shepherd shot 40.8 percent (31-76) from the floor with a 12.5 percent effort (1-8) from three-point range for the game. The Rams connected on 45 percent (9-20) of their free throws.

West Liberty hit on 48.7 percent (37-76) from the floor with a 32 percent (8-25) performance from beyond the arc. The Hilltoppers connected on 77.8 percent (14-18) of their free throws.

West Liberty had a 50-41 advantage in rebounds. The Rams forced 12 turnovers and committed 13.

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they host Wheeling Jesuit at 2 p.m.