ELKINS, W. Va. — Despite a career game for
Jamiyah Johnson, a late comeback by the Senators came up short in a 86-78 loss to West Liberty in the McDonnell Center on Saturday.
D&E matched the Hilltoppers in the first quarter with 21 points, but an offensive onslaught in the second quarter gave West Liberty a 14 point halftime lead. The second half provided a valiant comeback attempt by the Senators, but five Hilltoppers in double figures were enough to send them to an 86-78 victory. Johnson would finish with 31 points and 15 rebounds for her third consecutive double-double.
Peyton Mohler was key, leading the Senators with six assists and three steals to go with her 15 points in an all-around effort.
Jessica Eadsforth-Yates finished with eight points, while
Courtney Roth made two of her three attempts for five points.
West Liberty was paced by Taylor Johnson's 20 points and eight rebounds, while Morgan Brunner and Jaclyn Kitts posted 13 points each. Corrine Thomas added 16 points and three assists in 26 minutes off the bench.
THE RUNDOWN
• West Liberty — 86 (5-3, 2-2 MEC)
• Davis & Elkins –- 78 (1-7, 1-3 MEC)
• The McDonnell Center – Elkins, W. Va.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• In the first quarter, D&E hung tough with West Liberty's high octane offense. The score was 21-21 at the first break.
• The Hilltoppers shot nearly 60 percent in the second quarter to pull ahead 49-35 at the half, with
Jamiyah Johnson accounting for half of D&E's points.
• A balanced Senator performance helped cut the deficit to ten in the third quarter, as the Hilltopper offense was slowed up by stellar defense.
•
Jamiyah Johnson and
Peyton Mohler's offensive output kept D&E in the game, closing the gap to 76-74 with 3:34 remaining.
• Taylor Johnson scored five points in the next thirty seconds to give West Liberty an insurmountable lead.
GAME NOTES
•
Jamiyah Johnson's 31 points not only set a career-high and season-high for the Senators, but was the most by a D&E player since 2017.
•
Peyton Mohler also set a career-high in her young career with 15 points.
• D&E used 13 players in today's game, as several Senators found themselves in foul trouble early.
• D&E outshot (49.2 percent to 46.7 percent) and out rebounded (34-32) the Hilltoppers, but West Liberty attempted 36 three-pointers, sinking 14 of them.
UP NEXT
D&E will close out the home-stand as Notre Dame (Ohio) comes to Elkins for a Thursday evening showdown. Start time is set for 5:30 P.M. in the McDonnell Center as part of a doubleheader.
