MANSFIELD – Melanie Taylor hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 30 seconds left, but Virginia State scored the eventual game-winning points in a wire-to-wire 52-51 win at Decker Gymnasium on Wednesday.
 
The Mountaineers outscored Virginia State (8-0, 0-0 CIAA) 24-16 in the first two quarters, but the Trojans battled their way to victory with seven lead changes in the final period alone.
 
Brielle Kelly scored 16 points to take 14^th place on the all-time scoring list, going 5-9 from the floor and 6-7 from the line. The senior grabbed a total of six boards and is just 11 points from Beth Guiliani and the 13^th position in the books.
 
Freshman Paige Whitfield completed the double-figure scoring for the Mounties with 10 points while dishing out two assists and two rebounds. The freshman shot 3-7 from the floor and connected on two trifectas.
 
Mary Kate Rumbaugh and Erin Gibbons each added nine points, combining for a total of 11 rebounds. Melanie Taylor added five points while leading both teams with eight rebounds and three assists.
 
Alexis Smith made up almost half of the Trojans points with a game-high 24 points.
 
Mansfield (3-6, 1-3 PSAC) outrebounded VSU 38-37 while shooting 90% to the Trojans 52.2% from the line.
 
The women complete a five-game home stand on Saturday when they welcome IUP for a whiteout contest. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.