FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Amanda Ruffner dropped in a career-high 31 points and the Falcons scored 34 points in the painted area to take down the University of Charleston, 66-55, on Sunday afternoon at Joe Retton Arena.
 
With the win, FSU improves to 7-6 overall and 4-3 in the Mountain East. UC drops to 4-9 overall and 3-4 in the league.
 
Ruffner went 8-of-12 from the field and 15-of-17 from the charity stripe to total her career-high performance. Ruffner also pulled down six rebounds and blocked four shots in the victory. The Falcons also got 11 points and eight rebounds from Deidra Combs, 11 points, six rebounds and four steals from Emily Puskarich and 11 points from Makenzie White. The Falcons shot 40 percent from the field offensively.
 
The Falcons also played stifling defense in the victory, forcing 28 UC turnovers that they turned into 22 points on the offensive end. The Falcons recorded 15 steals in the win, with four different players recording three steals or more. UC managed just 34.8 percent from the field (16-of-46) and 28 percent from behind the arc (7-of-25).
 
The Falcons opened up a 29-20 halftime lead after limiting UC to just seven second-quarter points and then held off each rally the Golden Eagles threw at them in the second half.
 
Madison Jones led the University of Charleston on the offensive end with 13 points. The Golden Eagles also got 12 points from Anna Hayton and 10 from Abby Watson.
 
FSU will now prepare for a Tuesday night MEC matchup with West Virginia State. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m. against the Yellow Jackets.