FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The University of Charleston scored 31 points in the fourth quarter and outscored Fairmont State 15-7 in the final 2:49 to claim an 82-68 win over the Falcons on Wednesday night at Dan Cava Court inside Joe Retton Arena. Fairmont State trailed 51-46 at the end of the third quarter before UC pulled away and closed out the win late.

The Golden Eagles (5-2, 2-1 MEC) shot 62 percent from the field in the victory. UC scored 48 of its 82 points in the paint and was also near perfect from the charity stripe with a 15-of-17 performance.
 
Charleston also held a 32-0 advantage in points off the bench.
 
Just five players hit the stat sheet in the scoring column for the Falcons, including four double-figure scorers. Sierra Kotchman scored a team-high 19 points for Fairmont State, while Brooke Kurucz chipped in 18. Kamrin Weimer filled that stat sheet with 17 points, five rebounds and three steals, while Rachel Laskody just missed a double-double with 12 points and nine boards.
 
Fairmont State (4-4, 2-1 MEC) shot just 37 percent from the field, including a 7-of-23 performance from behind the arc (.304). The Falcons were also outrebounded by a 35-28 margin.

Brooklyn Pannell led all scorers with 23 points, and also had four steals and four assists. Erykah Russell was 9-of-12 from the field and finished with 19 points and six rebounds. Anna Hayton chipped in 15 points and eight boards. 

The Falcons will return to action on Saturday afternoon at West Virginia State. Tip is set for 2 p.m.