WISE - - No. 15 West Liberty overcame 22 turnovers by holding UVa-Wise to 25 percent shooting for the game in a 59-53 Mountain East Conference victory at the Prior Center Saturday. The victory was the 12th consecutive for the Hilltoppers who received a 16-point 17-rebound performance from forward Kierra Simpson.

Neither school shot well from the onset. West Liberty (14-1, 9-0 MEC) failed to connect on any of their five 3-point attempts in the opening quarter but managed to hold a two-point lead at 14-12 after one period.

UVa-Wise (6-7, 2-7 MEC) had an even more difficult time putting the ball through the hoop. The Cavaliers hit on just three of 13 first quarter shot attempts. Coach Kristin Kunzman's team was able to stay within reach by going to the free throw line 10 times; however, UVa-Wise hit just six of the attempts.

West Liberty would build a 12-point lead in the second period as Simpson scored eight points and corralled seven rebounds in the quarter. The Cavs continued to have a hard time shooting, connecting on just five of 20 attempts in the 10 minute segment.

Momentum carried over into the third period for the 'Toppers as they held a 15-point led when Johnie Olkosky's foul shot gave the visitors a 44-29 lead with 7:05 remaining in the quarter.

From there, UVa-Wise began its comeback. An 11-2 Cav run was aided by foul trouble for West Liberty. Starters Liz Flowers, Kailee Howe and Simpson each had at least three fouls mid-way through the quarter.

With its lead trimmed to 46-40 with two minutes to play in the third quarter, West Liberty closed the period by scoring five of the next six points. Brandi Beader made a 3-pointer before Olkosky was good on a pair of foul shots.

West Liberty Coach Lynn Ullom slowed the speed of the game down heavily when the clock switched to the fourth quarter.  West Liberty consistently ran the shot clock down under 10 seconds before attempting a shot in the opening minutes of the fourth period.

Neither team was able to dent the scoring column until the 7:17 mark when Blair Harding sank a pair of free throws for UVa-Wise.

Ninety seconds later Lindsey Fenwick answered with a layup for the West Liberty to give her club a 53-43 advantage with 5:21 showing on the clock.

As they had done most of the night, the Cavs spent the rest of the game playing catch up. A pair of 3-pointers by Makenzie Cluesman got UVa-Wise within five at 55-50 with 3:43 to play before an empty possession by the 'Toppers led to Taylor Sandidge splitting two free throws.

Up by four and with Howe having fouled out, West Liberty went to Simpson. The 5-foot-10 senior delivered as Janay Bottoms drove to the hoop and dished to Simpson for an easy deuce. Simpon's bucket extend the lead to 57-51 with a minute to play.

Following an empty possession by the Cavs, Kehana Grayer stole the ball and raced in for a fast break layup cutting the lead to 57-53.

It would be as close as UVa-Wise would get as Olkosky made two free throws late for the winning margin of 59-53.

Flowers scored 13 points while Olkosky used seven made free throws to chip in 11 points. Howe finished with eight points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Cluesman and Kayla Carey notched 12 points each for UVa-Wise as the Cavs dropped their fifth straight contest.

Next up is a date with Wheeling Jesuit Monday. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. from the Prior Center.