WISE - - Taylor Sandidge scored a season-high 22 points as UVa-Wise improved its home record to 6-0 with an 81-42 thrashing of Shepherd University at the Prior Center Tuesday afternoon. The win was highlighted by another strong defensive outing by the Cavaliers, the Rams shot just 27.1 percent from the field in the loss, including a 15.4 percent shooting performance in the opening quarter. It marked the sixth time this season UVa-Wise held an opponent under 35 percent shooting for the game.

UVa-Wise (10-4, 5-1 MEC) broke open a two-point game by outscoring the visitors 22-12 in the second 10 minutes. Sandidge scored seven of her 22 points in the period while Carey and Boothe scored six points each in the quarter.

Shepherd (4-10, 1-5 MEC) never recovered from its slow start. The Rams made just two of their first 13 shots as the team scored just six points in the first quarter. Early foul trouble also plagued Shepherd as Jenna Eckleberry's squad was whistled for eight fouls in the game's first 10 minutes.

Leading 30-18 at intermission, the Cavs put the game out of reach in the third quarter. Kristin Kunzman's team finished the quarter on a 14-3 run to take a 51-30 lead to the final 10 minute session.

Again it was Sandidge who spurred the run. The senior guard went 3-4 from the field in the period en route to 10 points; she also added three of her game-high five steals in the quarter.

UVa-Wise put the finishing touches on the win with a 30-point fourth quarter. The Cavs shot 55.6 percent from the floor in the period as seven different players entered the scorebook. Freshman Savannah Jacobs scored her first collegiate points as part of her six point quarter. Fellow freshman, Cynita Webb also had a big quarter as the forward netted seven of her nine points in the period.

Overall, 11 players entered the scoring column for UVa-Wise. Makenzie Cluesman added 13 points and a career-high eight assists to go along with six rebounds in the contest.

The large margin of victory allowed UVa-Wise to rest several starters. A total of 10 Cavs played 12 minutes or more in the win while starters Kayla Carey (15) and Alle Moore (14) played limited minutes.

Shepherd was led by Kayla Tibbs who scored 11 points off the bench. No other Ram reached double figure scoring as the visitors were limited to just three second chance points. Overall, UVa-Wise won the battle of the boards 49-28 to continue its year-long run of dominating the glass.

The Cavs finished the game 9-20 from beyond the 3-point arc. Sandidge and Cluesman each connected on a trio of long range shots in the contest while Boothe made two 3-pointers.

The win marked the third consecutive game that UVa-Wise has not trailed in the contest. The team returns to action on Sunday when Urbana University visits the Prior Center for a 2 p.m. tip.