INSTITUTE, W.Va. - - Five Yellow Jackets scored in double figures as West Virginia State shot a season high 56.1 percent in an 86-60 Mountain East Conference victory over UVa-Wise at the Walker Convocation Center Monday. The win stopped a three-game losing streak for the Jackets who handed the Cavaliers their first loss of the year; UVa-Wise had started the season 2-0.

West Virginia State (2-3, 1-1 MEC) scored 30 second quarter points to erase an early 11-2 deficit to take a 47-27 lead to intermission.  A 3-point basket by Shealyn Shafer at the 7:23 mark of the period gave the Jackets a lead they would not relinquish at 22-19.

Coach David Smith's teams lengthy run totaled 45-25 before halftime provided a reprieve for the visitors. West Virginia State made 63 percent of its shots from the field while making all three of its 3-point attempts in the half. Alexus Hobbs scored 11 of her game-high 15 points in the half as she led a group of four Jackets that scored seven or more points in the first 20 minutes.

UVa-Wise (2-1, 1-1 MEC) would get no closer than 17 points in the second half as West Virginia State continued its onslaught. The Yellow Jackets scored 48 points in the paint and received 28 points from the bench, 15 of which came from Hobbs.

Kayla Carey scored in double figures for the third consecutive game to lead UVa-Wise with 14 points. Blair Harding added 12 but, no other Cavalier cracked double digits in scoring.

The Cavs made just 3-14 3-point attempts in the contest and struggled at the line, making just 15-27 free throw attempts.

Aurreshae Hines joined Hobbs with 15 points while Shafer, 13 Laura Szorenyi, 11 and Ashley Current, 10 also scored in double figures for the Jackets. West Virginia State won the battle of the boards 38-30, Shafer led all players in the contest with eight boards.

Next up for UVa-Wise is a non-conference tilt with Tusculum College Saturday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and all fans that bring a can of food will be admitted free of charge.