PEPPER PIKE, Ohio – The West Liberty University women’s basketball team picked up an impressive road win Wednesday night, topping Ursuline College 87–81 after controlling the pace for most of the game. Strong defensive pressure and a big third quarter helped the Hilltoppers stay in front and fend off a late push from the Arrows.
West Liberty exploded out of the gate, scoring the first 10 points of the night before Ursuline could get settled. Ana-Isabel Andersson got things going at the line, and then Bailee Smith knocked down back-to-back threes; both coming off Andersson assists to give the Hilltoppers an early spark. Ursuline worked its way back into the game near the end of the first quarter, but a quick transition bucket from Halley Smith kept WLU on top 25–20 after one.
The Hilltoppers kept the pressure on in the second. A layup from freshman Jameka Brungard started another 10–0 run, and West Liberty continued to force turnovers that led to easy looks. Ursuline stayed close enough to keep things interesting, but an inside finish from Anna Lucarelli late in the half sent WLU to the locker room up 42–35.
The third quarter ended up being the difference-maker. Smith caught fire again, draining two threes in less than a minute to stretch the lead. The Hilltoppers moved the ball well, attacked the lane, and continued to make Ursuline pay for its mistakes. By the end of the quarter, West Liberty had built a comfortable 70–58 advantage.
Ursuline put together a final push in the fourth, but WLU never let go of the lead. Smith scored a key layup early in the quarter, and Andersson hit important free throws as the game tightened. The Hilltoppers also continued to cash in on turnovers, finishing with 23 points off the Arrows’ 21 giveaways.
Smith led all scorers with an electric 32-point night, including five shots from deep. Lucarelli nearly posted a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds. Brungard added 12 points and nine boards, while Andersson filled the stat sheet with 11 points and five assists.
West Liberty now turns its attention to Saturday’s road trip to Pitt-Johnstown, where they’ll look to keep the momentum rolling at 1 p.m.
