ATHENS, W.Va. - - Redshirt junior Nia Vanzant tied a season-high with 23 points while senior Caitlyn Ross scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds and handed out six assists as UVA Wise scored a 71-55 non-conference basketball victory over Concord inside the Carter Center Monday.

UVA Wise (12-6) took control of the contest halfway through the opening quarter. After Concord's (5-10) Jazz Blankenship connected on a 3-pointer to put the hosts in front 8-7, Jamie Cluesman's team would close the quarter on a 13-to-2 scoring spurt to take a lead they would not relinquish.

Vanzant would be the driving force behind the offense as she netted nine of her team's 13 points over the run. When the first quarter horn sounded, the guard had outscored the Mountain Lions by herself (12-to-10) as the Cavs held a 20-10 lead.

Coaching at her alma mater, Cluesman deployed a 3-2 zone for most of the afternoon. The defensive effort was no more evident than in the second period as Concord was held to just six points over a nine-minute stretch that saw the lead swell to 16 when Kaitlin Bailley capped a 10-to-2 UVA Wise run.

Concord would get back in the game in the third quarter behind Abbie Smith's and Jaisah Smith's play. The pair would combine for 10 points in the quarter as the Mountain Lions trimmed the lead to five at 42-37 with 3:11 to play in the third quarter following a Jaisah Smith layup.

Vanzant and Ross would put the game on ice in the fourth quarter. Vanzant would score seven in the quarter while Ross tallied nine in the final frame as Cluesman's team scored it second consecutive victory at Concord.

In addition to tying her season-high for points, Vanzant tied her season-high with a trio of made 3-pointers as part of tying yet another season-high in made field goals with nine. Ross scored all 16 of her points after intermission with Bailey chipping in nine points and seven rebounds for the victors.

Concord was limited to a 3-of-16 showing from beyond the arc while committing 18 turnovers. Abbie Smith (10) and Nakaila Gray (10) led the way in scoring for the Mountain Lions.

UVA Wise has won four of its last five games with the victory. The Cavs begin a crucial stretch of league games starting Wednesday when local rival Emory & Henry visits the Prior Center for a 5:30 p.m. tip.

It will be the first meeting between the two programs since 1984 despite being separated by just 59 miles.