WHEELING, W.Va. -- Wheeling Jesuit opened up a double-digit lead late in the third quarter and raced to a 61-46 victory over Fairmont State on Saturday afternoon at the McDonough Center. The Cardinals didn't allow Fairmont to get closer than seven in the fourth and pushed the final margin to 15 late.
 
With the win, Wheeling Jesuit keeps pace with West Liberty and improves to 19-3 overall and 14-2 in the Mountain East Conference. FSU dropped its third game in a row and falls to 15-7 overall and 9-7 in the league.
 
The Falcons were limited to just 19 points and seven field goals in the opening half of action, shooting 30.4 percent from the field. FSU shot 50 percent from the field in the second half, but only made eight made field goals. The Falcons also struggled from the free throw line, making 13-of-23 attempts (56.5%).
 
FSU also turned the ball over 16 times compared to 11 for the Cardinals. Both teams struggled from behind the arc, hitting just five three-pointers combined.
 
Amanda Ruffner scored a team-high 12 points for the Falcons, six of which came from the charity stripe. Emily Puskarich and Deidra Combs also reached double-figures, scoring 10 apiece. Combs pulled down a team-best six boards and also blocked three shots and point guard Gabrielle Etter passed out four assists.
 
Wheeling Jesuit shot just 38.6 percent from the field, but used a balanced scoring attack to pick up the victory. Jaila Bryant was the only Cardinal in double-figures, scoring 14 points to go along with seven rebounds and six assists. Jaana Motton was just shy of a double-double with eight points and 12 rebounds to lead WJU on the glass.
 
FSU will look to end its three-game skid on Thursday evening on the road at Urbana. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m.