WHEELING, W.Va. -- Fairmont State opened up a 13-point halftime lead and held off a third-quarter surge by Wheeling University to pick up a 77-65 Mountain East Conference victory on Wednesday evening at the McDonough Center.
 
With the victory, Fairmont State improves to 13-12 overall and 10-9 in MEC play. WU falls to 9-16 overall and 8-11 in conference play.
 
Fairmont State took control of the game early by limiting Wheeling to just 9-of-29 from the field (31.0%) in the opening half of the game. The Falcons on the other hand, shot 42 percent from the field in the opening half and forced the Cardinals into 13 turnovers. Sixteen of Fairmont State's first-half points were off turnovers.
 
In the third quarter, Wheeling outscored Fairmont State 21-13 and pulled to within five, 52-47, heading into the fourth quarter. The Cardinals attacked the paint in the third quarter, scoring 20 points in the paint, including 13 from Lilly Ritz on a 6-of-7 shooting performance for the period. The Falcons struggled from the field in the third quarter, shooting just 4-of-17 (23.5%).
 
Fairmont State regrouped in the fourth quarter by outscoring the Cardinals 10-5 in the first 3:35 of the period and the Falcons maintained at least a seven-point lead from that point to pick up the victory.
 
Both teams shot 41 percent from the field in the game and rebounding was nearly even with Wheeling holding a narrow 43-40 advantage. The Falcons took advantage of 20 free throw attempts by draining 18 in the win.
 
Fairmont State had three double-digit scorers in the win, led by a double-double performance from Rachel Laskody with 18 points and 13 rebounds. The Falcons also got 16 points, six rebounds and three steals from Kamrin Weimer, and 15 points from Sierra Kotchman. Taylor Duplaga also chipped in nine points off the bench, and Katy Darnell had a big day on the glass with 12 rebounds to go with six points.
 
Lilly Ritz scored a game-high 30 points and pulled down 17 rebounds to lead Wheeling in the setback. Ritz shot 11-of-14 from the field and 8-of-12 from the free throw line. The Cardinals also got 12 points and six assists from Khira Burton, and 10 points and seven rebounds from Taliah Cashwell.
 
Wheeling scored 40 of its 65 points from inside the paint.
 
The Falcons will return to action on Sunday afternoon when West Liberty visits Dan Cava Court at Joe Retton Arena for a 3:30 p.m. tip.