The Shepherd University women’s basketball team has now won seven of their final eight regular season games, capping off the season with wins over U.Va.-Wise and Fairmont State.
On Monday, Feb. 23 the Lady Rams downed the Lady Cavaliers of UVa-Wise 74-63.
After a slow start, Shepherd trailed 15-13. They would go on a 22-8 run to seize the lead and went into halftime with a 10 point lead.
“We came ready to play,” head coach Jenna Eckleberry said. “We played one heck of a game.”
Senior guard Alex Weakland had a huge game for Shepherd, accounting for 19 points and 17 rebounds.
Redshirt-sophomore guard Cara Mason contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.
Senior center Gabby Flinchum and senior guard Rachel Johnson each scored 13 points.
Shepherd played their next game five days later against Glenville State, where they came out on top over Fairmont State 82-75.
The Lady Falcons held a lead for the majority of the game, holding a nine point lead after the first half. Their biggest lead of the game was 14 points with 13:51 remaining.
The Lady Rams responded by going on a 27-5 run to erase the deficit and turn it into an eight point lead of their own.
“You never could have told them that they weren’t going to win,” Eckleberry said. “We really played with a lot of heart in a game with a lot to play for.”
Flinchum led Shepherd with 21 points and six rebounds.
Johnson, Mason, senior guard Briana Vaden and freshman guard Morgan Arden each added in double-digit points.
With the win, Shepherd secured a share of the Mountain East Conference title with West Liberty. They finish the regular season 20-8 overall and 17-5 in the conference.