WHEELING, W.Va. -- Emily Puskarich knocked down five second half three-pointers to help Fairmont State rally past Wheeling Jesuit, 87-79, on Thursday evening at the McDonough Center.

With the victory, the Falcons improve to 11-2 overall and 5-2 in MEC play. The Cardinals slip to 6-4 overall and 3-3 in the league.

Emily Puskarich led the Falcons with 22 points, 16 of which came in the second half, in the victory. Puskarich hit seven threes in the win while Emily Lohr just missed a double-double with 22 points and nine rebounds. Hallie Gunnoe added 18 points and Hailey Garrett was one rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points and nine boards.

The Falcons shot 44 percent from the floor and drilled 11-of-26 three-point attempts in the victory. FSU also knocked down 26-of-29 free throws. WJU shot 40 percent from the field and had just nine turnovers in the loss. The Cardinals struggled from the free throw line making just 15-of-23 attempts.

With the Cardinals leading 39-29 at the 2:22 mark of the opening half, Fairmont State ended the half on a 7-1 run to cut the WJU lead to just four at the break (40-36). Lohr drilled a three as time expired to send FSU to the locker room with momentum.

The Falcons quickly tied the second half score at 42-42 at the 17:58 mark after a jumper by Garrett and layup by Gunnoe on consecutive possessions. The score remained close until the 4:35 mark when Fairmont State began a 10-2 run that was capped by a pair of free throws by Gabrielle Etter. Lohr and Puskarich each nailed threes during that stretch.

Wheeling Jesuit would cut the FSU margin to just four in the closing minutes but an 11-of-12 performance from the foul line in the final minute helped FSU wrap up the 87-79 victory.

The Cardinals were led by Jaila Bryant and Taylor Lubinsky with 17 points apiece. Lubinsky added a team-high nine boards and Bryant passed out a game-high four assists for WJU. Mariah Callen also reached double figures with 16 for the Cardinals.

FSU will now travel to Logan, W.Va. for a Saturday matchup with Concord. Tip is set for 2 p.m.