FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Sierra Kotchman scored 30 points in Fairmont State's 70-60 setback against West Liberty on Thursday evening at Joe Retton Arena. The game was the season opener for the Falcons after a trio of postponements to open the 2021 season.
 
Kotchman hit on 11-of-26 from the field and 4-of-12 from behind the arc to lead the Falcons on the offensive end. The 30-point scoring performance was the sixth of Kotchman's FSU career.
 
Kotchman was the only Fairmont State player to reach double-figures, but the Falcons also got contributions from Alyssa DeAngelo with seven points, three rebounds and two assists, and Katy Darnell with six points and five boards for the Lady Falcons. Bre Wilson led the Falcons on the glass with six rebounds.
 
Fairmont State struggled from the field for most of the night, shooting just 31.5 percent (23-of-73) from the field and 27.8 percent from behind the arc (5-of-18). The Falcons did have success on the defensive end, forcing the Hilltoppers into 26 turnovers that led to a 25-4 scoring advantage in points off turnovers. The Falcons also had eight second-chance points off 11 offensive rebounds.
 
West Liberty shot 42.6 percent from the field (26-of-61) and did most of its damage in the paint with a 38-26 scoring advantage down low. WLU also held a commanding 54-39 edge on the glass.
 
Four players reached double-figures for the Hilltoppers, including a team-high 19 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and four steals from Audrey Tingle. Grace Faulk also chipped in 12 points and five rebounds, and Olivia Belknap finished the evening with 11 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
 
The Hilltoppers recorded 10 blocked shots as a team.
 
Fairmont State will now prepare for a Saturday road game at Wheeling University. Tip is set for 2 p.m.