FAIRMONT, W.Va. – West Virginia Wesleyan shot 54 percent from the field and 58 percent from behind the arc in a 79-75 Mountain East Conference victory over Fairmont State on Saturday afternoon at Joe Retton Arena.
 
The Bobcats led by as many as 12 points in the contest before the Falcons rallied to pull within one point on two occasions in the final quarter. However, WV Wesleyan sank 7-of-8 from the free throw line in the final 18 seconds of the game to hold off Fairmont State's fourth-quarter rally.
 
West Virginia Wesleyan (4-2, 3-1 MEC) was aided by 24 points off turnovers and 35 bench points in the victory. The Bobcats also sank 18-of-21 attempts from the free throw line on the afternoon.
 
Fairmont State shot 45.6 percent from the field (26-of-57), but managed just 38.6 percent from behind the arc (7-of-19). Fairmont State held a slim 36-34 advantage in the paint, and scored 14 points on the fast break.
 
Sierra Kotchman drained 24 points to go along with three rebounds, three assists and two steals for Fairmont State (3-4, 0-4 MEC). Kelli Jo Harrison chipped in 12 points to go along with a team-high seven rebounds, and Molly Rinkevich added 10 in the setback.
 
Tyra Hughes netted 22 points to go along with seven assists and four steals for the Bobcats. Brittany Stawovy (16) and Nicole Gilyard (10) also reached double figures in the win.
 
Fairmont State will look to snap its four-game skid on Wednesday evening with a marquee MEC showdown against Wheeling Jesuit at Joe Retton Arena. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m.