INSTITUTE, W.Va. –  Amari Grace scored 14 points to lead five players in double figures as West Virginia State (6-19, 5-14 MEC) gained a 79-63 win over Shepherd (11-14, 8-11 MEC) in MEC women's basketball action at West Virginia State on Thursday night.

Grace connected on 5-of-9 field goals with a 4-of-8 effort from three-point range.

Senior guard Kayla Tibbs (Leesburg, Va./Heritage/Glenville State) led the Rams with a game-high 21 points. She connected on 8-of-23 field goals with a 4-of-13 performance from three-point range

Sophomore guard Marley McLaughlin (Haymarket, Va./Battlefield) added 14 points and a game-high six assists. Junior guard Lauren Reed (Winchester, Va./Millbrook) had 12 points with a 4-of-11 effort from beyond the arc. Senior forward Liz Moormann (New Market, Md./Oakdale) grabbed  a team-high nine rebounds.

Anesha Harmon added 12 points for the Yellow Jackets.  Sierra Womack had 11, while Charity Shears and Chloe Cheresne each tossed in 10. Lynn Hatcher hauled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

West Virginia State had a 43-32 lead at halftime.

Shepherd jumped out to an early 5-2 lead in the first quarter, but West Virginia State took the lead for good at 6-5 when Anna Ross scored on a tip-in with 5:58 left in the quarter. The Rams got to within seven points twice in the fourth quarter, but State closed the game on a 13-4 run to gain the victory.

Shepherd shot 29.1 percent (23-79) from the floor with a 33.3 percent effort (10-30) from three-point range for the game. The Rams connected on 63.6 percent (7-11) of their free throws.

West Virginia State hit on 40.6 percent (26-64) from the floor with a 38.7 percent (12-31) performance from beyond the arc. The Yellow Jackets connected on 62.5 percent (15-24) of their free throws.

Rebounds were tied at 51 apiece. The Rams forced 18 turnovers and committed 20.

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