COLUMBUS, Ind. - WVU Tech women's basketball built an early lead and stayed in control the rest of the way, earning a 72-58 win at IU Columbus on Saturday afternoon in River States Conference play at the Circle K Fieldhouse at NexusPark.

The Golden Bears improved to 15-7 overall and 6-6 in the RSC, while IU Columbus moved to 5-19 overall and 3-9 in conference action.

WVU Tech shot 40.6 percent from the field (26-64), hit seven three-pointers and went 13-of-15 at the free-throw line. The Golden Bears also turned 17 IU Columbus turnovers into 17 points and won the bench scoring battle, 24-3.

Golden Bear Highlights

Cadence Stewart led the way with 19 points, knocking down four three-pointers.

Alaira Evans added 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting.

Alexis Sexton finished with nine points and four assists.

Kyra Brown chipped in eight points off the bench.

Maggie Boroski totaled six points, five rebounds and three steals.

For IU Columbus, Hadassah Hurt scored a game-high 22 points, while Abby Fleetwood added 18.

Conference Outlook

WVU Tech sits fifth in the RSC East Division at 6-6, one game back of IU East (6-5) for the fourth and final conference tournament spot in the division. IU Columbus is fifth in the West at 3-9.

Season Totals (through Feb. 7)

Points per game: 71.8
Rebounds per game: 38.3
Assists per game: 15.1
Field-goal percentage: 40.5
Three-point percentage: 34.5
Free-throw percentage: 72.4

Team Leaders (season averages)

Scoring: Cadence Stewart, 15.0 ppg
Rebounding: Alexis Sexton, 5.5 rpg
Assists: Emmanuella Amaefula, 3.0 apg

What's Next

WVU Tech heads to Rio Grande on Tuesday for a 5:30 p.m. RSC matchup.