Box Score WHEELING, W.Va---The Wheeling Jesuit women's basketball team bounced back from an 18-point first half, but was unable to fully recover, as WJU fell 59-53 to West Virginia State University at the Alma Grace McDonough Center.
 
Emily Robinson led Wheeling Jesuit with 13 points, and Taneka Lewis followed with 11 points, five rebounds and four assists. Jaila Bryant added a 10 point and four rebound performance, while Kelsey Pacholke pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds with five points.
 
The Cardinals (5-13, 2-12 WVIAC) offense sputtered during the first half of Monday evening's contest against the Yellow Jackets (6-11, 6-8 WVIAC). Wheeling Jesuit shot 4-for-27 from the floor which included a 1-for-13 showing from deep, however, the Cardinals posted 9-for-12 effort from the charity stripe.
 
The second half was much different. After West Virginia State carried a 31-18 advantage into the break, WJU outscored the Yellow Jackets 35-28. The Cardinals slowly climbed back into the game, after WV State established a 17-point lead, 35-18. Jesuit responded with 10-0 run, however two possessions later, the Yellow Jackets pushed the lead back to double digits, 44-32.
 
The cardinals continued to fight, chipping away at the deficit. With 1:48 left to play, the Cardinals found away to get the free throw line on three consecutive trips down the floor. Lewis made the initial appearance, splitting a pair of free throws and Breanna Butler followed with two made free throws. Pacholke made the final trip to the charity stripe, draining a pair.
 
The five unanswered points cut the WV State lead to six points, 56-50. Robinson followed with a long-distance 3-point shot, cutting the lead to three, 56-53 with 38 seconds remaining in the game, but the Yellow Jackets made 3-of-4 free throws to secure the victory.
 
Wheeling Jesuit continued their success from the free throw line in the final 20 minutes, making 12-out-of-15 attempts. In addition, Jesuit improved to 10-of-30 from the floor and 3-for-11 from behind the 3-point arc. The Cardinals also posted a slight, 43-42 edge on the glass.
 
Kashauna Cook led WV State with a double-double performance of 16 points and 13 rebounds. Jasmine Blanton followed with 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Maria Femia chipped in 10 points.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action at the Alma Grace McDonough Center on Thursday, January 31 against Concord University. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.