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Tournament Central
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Updated Bracket
#9 UVa-Wise 84, #9 West Virginia State 74 | Final Stats
INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- UVa-Wise stormed back in the fourth quarter using a 20-3 run in a five minute span to defeat West Virginia State, 84-74.
The win marks the third-straight year that the Cavs have won as the lower-seeded team in the quarterfinal round. UVa-Wise won as the 10th seed in 2014 and the No. 9 seed last year. UVa-Wise will now take on top-seeded West Liberty on Thursday night at 6:15 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center. The two teams met last year in the same round as the Hilltoppers outlasted the Cavs, 73-68, in overtime.
The Yellow Jackets looked to be in control of the game after pushing their lead to eight, 67-59, with 6:49 to go. UVa-Wise went on that game-changing 20-3 spurt and ended up allowing just two WVSU field goals in the final seven minutes of play to take the win.
Makenzie Cluesman led UVa-Wise with 29 points, while Taylor Sandidge filled the stat sheet with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Alle Moore had 13 and Blair Harding chipped in 10.
WVSU was led by MEC Freshman of the Year Laura Szorenyi who scored 20 points to go with four rebounds. Alexus Hobbs had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Shealyn Shafer scored 16 points and hauled down six boards.
#5 Fairmont State 74, Concord 63 | Final Stats
FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Fifth-seeded Fairmont State advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating 12th-seeded Concord, 74-63, on Tuesday night at the Joe Retton Arena.
The Falcons will now take on No. 4 Glenville State on Thursday night at 8:15 p.m. The two teams split their two games during the regular season.
FSU put its starting five in double figures on the night led by 16 each from Amanda Ruffner and Deidra Combs. Gabrielle Etter tossed in 14 points, Katie Nunan scored 12 and Emily Puskarich added 11. Fairmont State shot 50 percent from the field in the victory.
Danielle Catron paced Concord with 19 points and seven rebounds. Alexis Lowery scored 13 and Kylie Molisee and Emily Boothe each netted 11.
#6 Urbana 81, West Virginia Wesleyan 69 | Final Stats
URBANA, Ohio -- Urbana grabbed an early lead and controlled the game the rest of the way in an 81-69 triump over West Virginia Wesleyan on Tuesday night at the Grimes Center.
The sixth-seeded Blue Knights will take on third-seeded Notre Dame on Thursday at 2:15. The two teams split in the regular season with Urbana coming out on top in the most recent meeting that came on Saturday.
Megan Beachy led a balanced offensive attack for Urbana with 18 points. Erin Morrow and Kennedy Boggs each tallied 14 points, and Jazmyn Haley had a big double-double with 11 points and a MEC Tournament record 19 rebounds. Danie Shafer, a first team All-MEC selection, contributed 13 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Allie Browne led WVWC with 20 points. Mari Stewart scored 18 and nine rebounds for the Bobcats.
#7 Charleston 84, #10 Shepherd 73 | Final Stats
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Charleston pulled away from Shepherd late to claim an 84-73 win over the Rams in the first round of the MEC Tournament.
The Golden Eagles advance to take on second-seeded Wheeling Jesuit on Thursday at noon. UC and WJU split in the regular season and the Golden Eagles are in the midst of a five-game winning streak.
UC shot 50 percent from the field and out-rebounded SU by 10 that helped it overcome 21 turnovers in the game. Chyress Lockhart contributed 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the victory for UC. Olivia Nicholas scored 18 and Mya Walker finished with 14 points and six rebounds.
Morgan Arden went for a game-high 37 points for the Rams. Liz Myers added 15 points and six rebounds.