ATHENS, W.Va. – Senior forward
Rachel Artrip and junior forward
Kylie Molisee combined for 41 points as the Concord University women's basketball team got past West Virginia State 75-66 Saturday afternoon at the Carter Center in Mountain East Conference play.
Concord (7-17, 7-12 MEC) was able to separate itself from the Yellow Jackets (7-16, 5-13 MEC) right before halftime. With the score tied 25-25, CU outscored West Virginia state 10-2 over the final 5:50 of the first half to gain a 35-27 edge at halftime. Molisee scored four of her career-matching 20 points during the run while senior forward
Jacqueline Kestner, sophomore guard
Olivia Morgan and senior guard
Melea Smith each added two points. Additionally, the Mountain Lions held West Virginia State without a point for the final 4:14 of the first half.
WVSU was able to eat into the deficit and cut it inside of five points for the majority of the second, including down to 59-57 with 5:36 remaining in the game. However, Concord's defense once again stepped up and held the Yellow Jackets to just two points over a three-minute span as CU grew its lead back to eight points, 67-59, with 2:45 left.
In the final 1:19 of the contest, Artrip made four free-throws and Smith converted two shots at the charity stripe to secure the nine-point win.
In fact as a team, the Maroon and Gray only missed three foul shots (18-for-21) for the entire game.
On the defensive end, Concord came away with eight blocks including two each from Molise, sophomore center
Alley Odell and Smith, a career best for all three.
The eight blocks were the most for a Concord team since they blocked eight shots at West Virginia State last season. CU also came away with 12 steals, the fifth time in the last six games Concord has had double digits steals.
Artrip, Kestner and Morgan each had three steals in the win.
Artrip finished the game with 21 points including three made three-pointers while Smith also finished in double figures with 16.
Morgan dished out a career-high 10 assists as Concord assisted on 18 of 27 made field goals as a team.
The Mountain Lions will make their two-game road trip of the year when they play at Fairmont State 5:30 p.m. Thursday before heading to Shepherd 2:00 p.m. Feb. 21.
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