Storylines – vs West Virginia State
Having lost back-to-back games, West Virginia State needs a win to keep pace with Shepherd in the race for the six seed in the upcoming Mountain East Conference Tournament. The Yellow Jackets are tied with the Rams at 10-10 in the league standings. Led by Aurreshae Hines' 16 points per game, Charles Marshall's team is the second highest scoring offense in the MEC at 86.6 points per game. West Virginia State uses its defense to generate much of its offense, the Yellow Jackets have forced 507 turnovers in 26 games which correlates to winning the turnover battle by over five per game. In its first meeting against UVa-Wise, West Virginia State raced out to a 62-46 lead before the freshman trio of
Kayla Mullins,
Cynita Webb and
Natalie Boothe propelled the Cavs to victory with a fourth quarter rally. Mullins drained a 3-pointer and assisted on a bucket by Webb before Boothe canned a 3-pointer to give her team the lead for good. West Virginia State made 18 3-pointers in the loss and forced 25 turnovers while Hines and Tatyana Reynolds scored 20 points each to lead a quartet of double-figure scorers.
About UVa-Wise
Looking to claim its first 20-win season since the 2005-06 campaign, UVa-Wise travels to West Virginia State for its final road game of the season. The Cavaliers need a win and a loss by Fairmont State to Glenville State to lock up the three seed in next week's MEC Tournament. UVa-Wise can also claim the three seed with a win over West Virginia State and a win over Concord on Senior Day. Senior guard
Taylor Sandidge has been playing her best ball of the season down the stretch. The Waynesboro, Va. native has scored 20 or more points in consecutive games and is averaging 18 points, four rebounds and two assists over the last three games. Fellow backcourt mate and senior
Makenzie Cluesman is on some roll from beyond the 3-point line. The Jonesville, Va. native has made at least one triple in 27 consecutive games and is shooting a league-best 43.3 percent from beyond the arc against MEC competition. Senior forward
Kayla Carey could play a big role Thursday, the Knoxville, Tenn. product scored a season-high 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the first meeting between the two schools. Sandidge has also been a force against the Yellow Jackets throughout her career, the guard posted 21 points in a win over West Virginia State in the opening round of the MEC Tournament last season and is averaging 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists in her last two games against the Yellow Jackets.
