SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. –Taylor Johnson scored a game-high 25 points to lead West Liberty (12-7, 9-4 MEC) to a 79-61 win over Shepherd (10-9, 7-6 MEC) in MEC women's basketball action at the Butcher Center on Wednesday.

Johnson connected on 7-of-13 field goals with a 5-of-6 effort from three-point range. She drained 6-of-8 free throws. She added a team-high five assists.

Sophomore forward Sydney Clayton (Frederick, Md./St. John's) led the Rams with 18 points. Senior guard Kayla Tibbs (Leesburg, Va./Heritage/Glenville State) tossed in 14 points, while sophomore guard Marley McLaughlin (Haymarket, Va./Battlefield) added eight points and seven rebounds.

Senior guard Kari Lankford (York, Pa./West  York Area) contributed a game-high 10 assists and six rebounds.

Morgan Brunner had 17 points, Audrey Tingle had 12, and Brandi Beader added 11 for the Hilltoppers. Marissa Brown had eight points and eight rebounds.

West Liberty took a 37-29 lead into the break as Johnson led the way with 15 first-half points.

The Hilltoppers extended their lead to 20 points in the third period and Shepherd was unable to recover.

Shepherd shot 44.3 percent (17-61) from the floor with a 0 percent effort (0-4) from three-point range for the game. The Rams connected on 70 percent (7-10) of their free throws.

West Liberty hit on 50 percent (28-56) from the floor with a 46.4 percent (13-28) performance from beyond the arc. The Hilltoppers connected on 76.9 percent (10-13) of their free throws.

West Liberty had a 35-29 advantage in rebounding. The Rams forced 18 turnovers and committed 18.

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they travel to Wheeling Jesuit for a 2 p.m. contest.