FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Gannon broke open a close game by outscoring Fairmont State 24-8 in the third quarter of play, allowing the Knights to pull away for an 80-63 non-conference victory on Wednesday evening at Joe Retton Arena.
 
Fairmont State (1-2) managed just 29.4 percent shooting from the field (20-of-68), including aa 3-of-29 performance from behind the arc (10.3%). The Falcons were also out-rebounded 52-28 in the setback.
 
Fairmont State's solid defensive pressure, which forced Gannon into 18 first half turnovers, allowed the Falcons to take a 29-28 lead into the locker room, despite shooting just 31 percent in the opening half, including an 0-of-11 performance from three.
 
In the third quarter, Gannon shot 57 percent from the field and opened the half on a 17-3 scoring run to take control of the game. Defensively, Gannon also held the Falcons to a 3-of-16 shooting performance (18.8%) in the third quarter.
 
Brooke Kurucz led the Falcons in the setback with 19 points, eight rebounds and five steals. Sierra Kotchman also chipped 15 points, and Rachel Laskody stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, nine rebounds and seven steals.
 
Fairmont State shot 20-of-23 from the free throw line.
 
Gannon's Chelsea Rourke scored a game-high 20 points to go with eight rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots in the victory as the Knights improved to 3-0 on the season. Tori Obenrader also chipped in 15 points off the bench. Lauren Tewes pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.
 
Fairmont State will open Mountain East Conference play on Saturday against the University of Charleston. Tip is set for 2 p.m. inside Joe Retton Arena.