WHEELING, W.Va. -- Wheeling University erased a 43-34 halftime advantage to earn a 79-70 victory over Fairmont State on Saturday afternoon at the McDonough Center. A 23-4 run that spanned the third and fourth quarter propelled the Cardinals to the win.

Wheeling trailed by nine, 49-40, at the 5:30 mark in the third quarter, but scored 13 of the final 17 points in the quarter to pull even with the Falcons at 53-53. The Cardinals then held Fairmont State without a point during first five minutes of the fourth quarter and scored 10 of their own to take control of the game.

The game-changing 23-4 run spanned 10:30 of game time. The Cardinals were 7-of-16 from the field during that stretch, including 9-of-10 from the free throw line, while Fairmont State was just 1-of-13 from the field and had six turnovers. 

Sierra Kotchman had 16 points, three rebounds and three assists to lead Fairmont State (0-2, 0-2 MEC). Jertaya Hall also scored in double-figures with 14 on 6-of-10 shooting from the field. The Falcons also got nine points apiece from Alyssa DeAngelo and Jalen Gibbs, while Katy Darnell and Madeline Huffman each chipped in eight. Darnell also pulled down a team-high six rebounds.
 
Lilly Ritz had 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting and pulled down 25 rebounds for the Cardinals (3-1, 3-1 MEC). Maura Castelluci had 17 points and four rebounds off the bench. Wheeling outshot the Falcons 42.2% to 38.9% and also held a commanding 51-32 advantage on the glass.
 
Fairmont State shot 45 percent from the field in the opening half, but managed just 21 percent in the third quarter and 39 percent in the fourth quarter.
 
The Falcons will return to action on Monday afternoon with a 4 p.m. road matchup against West Virginia Wesleyan. Monday's game was rescheduled from a Jan. 7 postponement.