SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Shepherd rebounded from a slow start to pick up a 74-64 victory over Fairmont State on Saturday afternoon at the Butcher Center.
 
Despite the setback, Fairmont State clinched the fifth-seed in next week's Mountain East Conference Tournament and will open tournament play on Thursday at 8:15 p.m. against fourth-seeded West Liberty at the Charleston Civic Center. The Falcons finished the regular season with a 15-13 overall record, including a 10-12 mark in league play.
 
The Falcons opened up a 20-12 lead after one quarter of play on Saturday afternoon, shooting just under 50 percent from the floor (8-of-17) in the first quarter. Shepherd quickly answered in the second quarter, outscoring the Falcons 24-7 in the period, allowing the Rams to take a 36-27 lead into the locker room at the break.
 
Shepherd continued to stretch its lead in the third quarter, pushing the advantage to 18 (55-37) with just 1:13 remaining in the third quarter. The Rams largest lead of the game came at the 4:28 mark of the fourth quarter when Morgan Arden completed a three-point play to put Shepherd in front by 20 (67-47).
 
Fairmont State outscored Shepherd 17-7 in the final 4:28 of play to cut the final margin to 74-64.
 
Brooke Kurucz and Sierra Kotchman both scored 19 points to lead Fairmont State on Saturday afternoon. Kelli Jo Harrison recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Falcons in the post. Fairmont State finished the game shooting 36.4 percent from the field (20-of-55) and just 17.6 percent from behind the arc (3-of-17).
 
Shepherd (14-14, 10-12 MEC) got a game-high 21 points from Arden on senior day for the Rams. Kari Lankford chipped in 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists, and Kayla Tibbs rounded out three Rams in double figures with 12 points and six boards. Shepherd shot 42.1 percent from the field (24-of-57) in the win, including 50 percent in the first half of play.