(PRINCETON, W.Va.)---Another day, another first place showdown as the topsy-turvy WVIAC women's basketball race heads toward the midway point. Glenville State (9-4, 7-2), which gained first place in the WVIAC standings following Thursday's win over Concord, puts that spot on the line at Shepherd (8-5, 7-2). The Rams, who are in a three-way for second place tie in the conference power ratings with Concord and Fairmont State, have won five straight.
Glenville State forced 30 turnovers in the 88-69 victory against Concord and the Lady Pioneers are generating nearly 27 turnovers per contest. Nine players average at least 18 minutes per game in head coach Bunky Harkleroad's up-tempo system. Donita Adams' 20.8 points per game paces GSC, while Autumn Davis and Kristen Golden tally 12.3 points per game each. Golden pulls down a team-best 7.3 rebounds per outing.
Shepherd also relies on a balanced approach. Camille Wilmer averages 14.5 points and 6.2 rebounds for interim head coach Melanie Ford. Carrie Saunders scores 12.2 points per game and is the only other SU player to average in double figures. The Rams are only allowing 56.4 points per game during their five-game win streak.
The winner of the showdown at SU's Butcher Center assumes first place in the league standings. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.
Concord (10-4, 7-2) faces a tough assignment to get back on track when the Lady Lions head to West Liberty (9-5, 5-4). A short-handed CU squad that has lost two key contributors to injury in recent games is led in scoring by Sierra Brown's 15.0 points per game. Jolysa Brown chips in 13.4 points and a team-best 8.9 rebounds per game.
West Liberty has won seven of eight since starting the season 2-4. The Toppers' attack has averaged 86.0 points per game during their hot streak and has raised their scoring average from 67.3 to 77.8 points per outing over that span. Tori Hansen's 21.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game pace the Toppers.
Fairmont State (10-4, 7-2) has won four of five heading into Saturday's home matchup with Davis & Elkins (8-5, 5-4). The Falcons shot over 60% from the field to pick up an impressive 75-53 win at Wheeling Jesuit on Thursday. Ashley Vavrek tops the FSU scoring chart with 19.5 points per outing. Steve McDonald's club ranks among the region's top defensive squads, allowing just 57.9 points per game.
Davis & Elkins dropped a tough 80-77 decision to defending WVIAC champion Charleston on Thursday evening. The vastly improved Senators force just under 27 turnovers and make nearly ten three-pointers per game. Freshman guard Shalisa Hill leads D&E with 15.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Lindsay Holliday is shooting over 40% from three-point range and adds 11.9 points per contest.
Seton Hill (8-5, 4-5) has fallen four straight times during a rough schedule stretch that saw the Griffins play West Virginia Wesleyan, Glenville State, Fairmont State, and West Liberty. SHU looks to get back on the winning path when Alderson-Broaddus (4-9, 2-6) pays a visit.
Charleston (10-5, 7-3) has climbed to fifth in the league standings and is only one-half game behind first place Glenville State. The Golden Eagles will be heavy favorites at Eddie King Gymnasium versus winless Salem International (0-14, 0-9).
Other games on Saturday's slate have Bluefield State (1-14, 1-9) at Wheeling Jesuit (5-9, 4-5) and Ohio Valley (4-8, 2-7) at West Virginia State (4-6).