WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - - West Liberty broke open a tight game by dominating the fourth quarter in the Hilltoppers' 71-59 Mountain East Conference women's basketball victory over UVa-Wise at the ASRC Thursday. West Liberty outscored UVa-Wise 24-9 in the final 10 minutes to turn a one-point deficit into a 12-point victory and complete a season-series sweep of the Cavaliers.

West Liberty (10-11, 9-6) used an 8-0 run midway through the fourth quarter to take a lead it would not relinquish. Guard Brandi Beador was pivotal for the 'Toppers down the stretch as she netted 12 of her game-high 21 points in the final period.

UVa-Wise (3-17, 2-13 MEC) would get to as close as six points on a layup by freshman Bianca Lockamy with four minutes remaining only to see the hosts finish the game on an 8-2 run to claim the double digit win.

Reigning MEC Player of the Week Marissa Brown was a force on the interior for West Liberty. The 6-foot-3 forward posted 18 points and 16 rebounds despite being saddled with foul trouble for most of the game. Brown played just 22 minutes in the game but made the most of her opportunities, making 9-of-18 field goal attempts.

The Cavaliers also received solid post play from freshman Ada Stanley and sophomore Cynita Webb. Stanley and Webb tied for team-high point honors with 13 each while Stanley added four rebounds, two assists and a pair of blocks.

Both schools started the game with an offensive flurry. Stanley scored seven of her 13 points in the opening quarter as UVa-Wise shot 56.3 percent from the floor en route to a 20-17 lead after 10 minutes.

McKenna Shives drove the offensive engine for the 'Toppers in the first period as she tallied 10 of her 15 points in the quarter.

Poor free throw shooting early on prohibited both teams from being in a better position at intermission. The Cavs made just 5-of-10 first half foul shots while West Liberty connected on 3-oof-6 free throws as the game entered intermission with the 'Toppers leading 37-33.

UVa-Wise would finish the third quarter with its best play of the day as Elise Clyburn's squad finished the period on a 10-0 scoring run. The spurt was highlighted by junior Adalmaryz Rivera – Gomez's layup just before the horn to send the guests to the fourth quarter with a 50-49 advantage.

West Liberty owned the glass in the game, the 'Toppers won the battle of the boards 56-37. Kyle Cooper's team picked up 12 offensive rebounds which led to 14 second chance points.

The Cavs were unable to make a 3-point basket for the first time since becoming a NCAA Division II member. UVa-Wise finished the game 0-of-8 from the beyond the arc.

Next up, UVa-Wise travels to Wheeling Jesuit for a 2 p.m. tip Saturday.