INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- West Virginia State erased an 18-point first quarter deficit and shot 61 percent from the field in the second half to rally past Fairmont State, 92-84, on Monday evening in Institute.
 
It was all Fairmont State early as the Falcons quickly opened up a 28-10 lead at the 2:35 mark of the opening quarter, thanks to eight FSU three-pointers during the opening stretch of the game.
 
West Virginia State ended the first quarter on a quick 8-0 run to trim Fairmont State's advantage to just 10 after one quarter of play.
 
To open the second quarter, Fairmont State scored 10 of the first 14 points of the period to jump out to a 17-point lead (38-21) with just over six minutes to play in the half. WV State once again cut into Fairmont's advantage late in the second quarter by closing out the half on an 11-3 run – sending the game to the break with FSU lead by eight (45-37).
 
West Virginia State shot 61 percent from the field in the second half and outscored the Falcons 34-22 in the third quarter to take control of the game. Fairmont State also turned the ball eight times in the third period and made just a trio of three-pointers in the second half after making eight in the first seven minutes of the game.
 
Sierra Kotchman scored a game-high 24 points to lead Fairmont State (3-2, 0-2 MEC) on the evening. The Falcons also got 21 points and 15 rebounds from Kelli Jo Harrison, and 11 points and 11 rebounds from Rachel Laskody. Ozge Yarga also reached double-figures with 11.
 
Amari Grace scored a team-high 21 points to lead West Virginia State (1-3, 1-1 MEC) in the victory. The Yellow Jackets also got 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists from Aurreshae Hines, 17 points from Jasmine Davis and 12 from Alexandra Jackson.
 
The Falcons will now return home to spend Thanksgiving with their families, before returning to action on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at Glenville State. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m.