MANSFIELD – The Mansfield University women's basketball team played well defensively but turnovers played a role in the 58-43 loss to West Virginia Wesleyan on Sunday.
 
An early foul put Mansfield (1-1) in the lead early as Brielle Kelly made both her free throws. West Virginia Wesleyan (1-1) came back and led by as many as seven points before the Mounties went on an 8-0 run regaining the lead at the end of the frame.
 
The Bobcats came back with a strong second quarter as Tyra Hughes scored eight points to hold a 27-22 advantage entering intermission.
 
Mansfield stayed in the game as the team continued to draw fouls and have a perfect quarter from the line with six. However, Wesleyan took off on a scoring streak that continued over into the fourth quarter.
 
The Bobcats pulled away to lead by their biggest margin of the game at 18 points before securing the win.
 
Kelly led the Mountie offense with 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Paige Whitfield added eight of her own while contributing an assist and a rebound.
 
The Mountaineers were aggressive down low and were able to out rebound the Bobcats 40-39.
 
Hughes led West Virginia Wesleyan with 16 points and two boards.
 
The women travel to Pitt-Bradford on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. tip-off.