WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - - Senior Brent Collabella came off the bench and fired a game-winning 14-yard touchdown pass to Shane Phillips with 8:33 to play to give West Liberty a 23-17 win over UVa-Wise at West Family Stadium Saturday. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Hilltoppers against the Cavaliers and evened the all-time series at 5-5 between the two programs.

Saturday's game featured seven turnovers, including an interception by West Liberty's (2-2, 2-2 MEC) Joshua Ojo with less than 90 seconds to play to thwart a would be game-winning drive by UVa-Wise (1-3, 1-3 MEC).

Neither team's offense was able to mount much against the opposing defense. West Liberty finished the game with just 271 yards while quarterbacks completed 9-of-29 pass attempts in the win. UVa-Wise was held to 219 yards of offense, including 47 rushing yards on 32 attempts.

The strong defensive play by the Cavs was highlighted by an 11 tackles for loss performance that featured a pair of sacks by freshman Shavonta Timothy. Donavan Montague led the defense with seven stops, a sack and three TFLs.

UVa-Wise jumped out front with 6:06 to play in the first quarter when Kaian Duverger hauled in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Bernard. Trevor Owens' conversion kick made the score 7-0.

A possession later, West Liberty tied the game on a 33-yard touchdown reception by Osman Kargbo off the arm of Zach Phillips. Owen Rozanc made the extra point.

The scoring flurry would continue when Owens converted the longest field goal of his collegiate career, a 48-yarder to cap the first quarter.

A pair of Rozanc field goals in the second quarter gave the 'Toppers a 13-10 lead and it appeared that's how the game would go to intermission. However, on the final play of the half, Phillips scrambled out of the pocket only to lose control of the ball and fumble. From there, UVa-Wise linebacker Buster Henderson scooped up the loose ball and raced 52 yards for a touchdown. Following Owens' extra point UVa-Wise led 17-13 after 30 minutes of play.

It would be the final offense Dane Damron's team would have on the day. On the team's opening third quarter the possession, the Cavs would turn the ball over on downs after advancing to the 'Toppers 29-yard line. It would be the furthest penetration the offense would have over the final 30 minutes.

The next Cavs possession would end in an interception only to see the defense immediately get the ball back as Montague forced a fumble and Rondre Knowles-Tenner recovered to thwart a would be scoring attempt.

Again, a turnover would end a Cavs possession as Ojo picked off a pass that led to a 27-yard field goal by Rozanc to make the score 17-16 late in the third period.

After a 3-and-out, Owens boomed a Mountain East tying 79-yard punt. The punt trickled off the fingertips of the West Liberty returner but, UVa-Wise would be unable to recover, setting the 'Toppers up first and ten after a touchback.

The Cavs defense would allow one first down before forcing a punt only to see its offense go 3-and-out. Following a 23-yard return by Kargbo, West Liberty began its possession on the UVa-Wise 47-yard line.

Five plays later, Colabella fired what proved to be the game-winning touchdown pass.

UVa-wise would have two more opportunities but both drives failed to produce points.

Penalties also played a big role in the contest, the Cavs had a kickoff return touchdown called back as part of a day that saw the guests assessed 10 penalties for 94 yards.

Duverger finished with five catches for 75 yards while Jamorya Cousin ran the ball 20 times for 63 yards while adding three catches for 18 yards out of the backfield.

Next week, UVa-Wise will entertain Fairmont State for Homecoming 2018. Kickoff from Smith Stadium is set for 2 p.m. Saturday.