SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - - Host Shepherd University used a strong second half to claim a 65-53 Mountain East Conference victory over UVa-Wise at the Butcher Center Saturday. The Cavaliers had built a 27-25 lead at intermission before being outscored 40-26 in the second half as the Rams improved to 8-6 overall and 4-4 in league action.

Shepherd (8-6, 4-4 MEC) broke open the game in the fourth quarter with a 14-2 scoring run to take a 63-46 lead with just over three minutes to play. The rams made a trio of 3-pointers in the stretch, including two by Tiffany McKinney.

Senior guard Morgan Arden netted 22 points in the win after entering the game as the league's leading scorer at just shy of 22 points per game. Arden made 7-of-16 field goal attempts while going 8-of-9 at the free throw line to follow up her 41-point outburst against Concord on Thursday.

UVa-Wise (2-11, 1-7 MEC) built its halftime lead by playing well defensively. The Cavs limited the hosts to 32 percent shooting in the opening 20 minutes but turnovers plagued the team throughout the day. UVa-Wise finished with 26 turnovers compared to just 11 for Shepherd.

Redshirt freshman Kalee Johnson had the best game of her young career as the guard netted 10 points; she was a perfect 2-for-2 from distance. Junior Adalmaryz Rivera – Gomez also finished in double-figure scoring as she scored 10 points to reach double figures for the third consecutive game.

The Cavs dominated the glass winning the battle of the boards 41-28; junior Cynita Webb led all players with 10 rebounds and as she fell two points shy of back-to-back double-double performances.

Long range shooting proved difficult in the loss, UVa-Wise made just two 3-pointers and outside of Johnson, the team was 0-for-8 from beyond the arc. Shepherd finished with seven made triples on 15 attempts.

Lauren Reed made four 3-pointers as she joined Arden as the only other Ram in double-figure scoring with 12 points.

UVa-Wise will return home Thursday to face West Liberty University. Tip-off from the Prior Center is slated for 5:30 p.m.