WISE - - A strong third quarter allowed UVa-Wise to push its three point halftime lead to 17 as the Cavaliers claimed a 68-50 Mountain East Conference women's basketball victory over Shepherd University at the Prior Center Saturday. Freshman Bianca Lockamy a trio of Cavs in double-figure scoring with 15 as Elise Clyburn's team kept its MEC Tournament hopes alive.

UVa-Wise (5-18, 4-14 MEC) held a 28-25 advantage at halftime before outscoring the guests 24-10 in the quarter to take a 52-35 lead to the final period.

Shepherd (11-13, 7-11 MEC) would make one final push in the final minutes as a 6-0 run by the Rams made the score 59-49 with 2:57 to play but, Jenna Eckleberry's club could get no closer.

The duo of Kalee Johnson and Cynita Webb would combine for seven of UVa-Wise's final nine points as the Cavs won their second game in the last three tries.

The Cavs shot 44.8 percent from the field which included a 15-for-27 showing in the second half.

Webb netted 12 points while Johnson added 10 in the win. Lockamy finished a rebound shy of a double-double as she spearheaded a 56-rebound effort that saw her club win the battle of the boards 56-30.

Morgan Arden led Shepherd with 16 points while Sydney Clayton notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Kayla Tibbs was the other Ram to finish in double figures as she came off the bench to tally 11 points on 5-of-15 shooting.

UVa-Wise was proficient at the free throw line making 11-of-13 attempts; Shepherd made just 14 of its 24 shots from the foul line.

Shepherd made just 24.6 percent of its shots as the team finished 16-of-65 from the field.

The win keeps UVa-Wise's hopes alive for the league tournament which begins at the end of this month. Next up, Urbana University visits the Prior Center Thursday in a 5:30 p.m. tip.