espnW Women's Basketball

KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) -- Chakhia Cole had 19 points and four steals and West Virginia (No. 17 ESPN/USA Today, No. 16 AP) defeated American University 65-61 in the URI Invitational on Friday.

Trailing 64-61 with six seconds left, American's Liz Hayes attempted a 3-pointer but it was blocked by Lateefah Joye. A free throw by Laquita Owens after an Amercian foul secured the Mountaineers' victory.

Owens had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Olayinka Sanni added 16 points and nine rebounds for West Virginia (4-1).

Liz Hayes led American (2-3) with 29 points, including six 3-pointers. Talicia Jackson added 13 points.

West Virginia put together an 11-1 run late in the first half to take a 35-25 lead at the break.

West Virginia shot 50 percent from the field (29-of-58) and held American to 37.5 percent (18-of-48).

West Virginia will face Rhode Island in Saturday's championship game. Rhode Island beat Brown 61-55 in Friday's other game.