FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Fairmont State held West Liberty scoreless for a seven-minute stretch in the opening half and never looked back in a convincing 81-62 win over the visiting Hilltoppers on Sunday afternoon in front of a large crowd inside Joe Retton Arena, and in front of a national television audience on the American Sports Network.

With the win, the Falcons move above .500 once again, improving to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Mountain East Conference.
 
Following a Brandi Beader three with 1:10 remaining in the first quarter to cut the FSU lead to 10 points (25-15), the Falcons went on a 15-0 run during the drought by West Liberty to open up its largest lead of the day at 40-15 with 4:39 remaining until halftime. That lead proved to be more than enough to knock-off the defending MEC Regular Season Champions, as the 'Toppers didn't get closer than a 16-point margin the remainder of the game.
 
Makenzie White scored a season-high 26 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead the Falcons in the victory, going 8-of-10 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. White recorded a double-double in the first half of the game with 24 points and 10 boards in the first 20 minutes of action.
 
The Falcons also got 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists from Deidra Combs and 10 points, six assists and four steals from Emily Puskarich.
 
For the game, the Falcons shot over 50 percent from the field (31-of-61), including a scorching 56 percent in the opening 20 minutes of play. The Falcons also scored 23 points off turnovers, including 10 on the fast break.
 
West Liberty (1-7, 1-3 MEC) was limited to 33.9 percent from the field (19-of-56) and turned the ball over 19 times against the stifling FSU defense. The 'Toppers were led by Brandi Beader with 15 points and McKenna Shives with 10.
 
The Falcons will now be idle until next Saturday when Davis & Elkins comes to town for a 2 p.m. tip at Joe Retton Arena.