FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Fairmont State Women's Basketball (10-5, 8-2 MEC) found success early and controlled the pace to defeat Frostburg State (3-14, 2-9 MEC) 96-77 on Saturday afternoon inside Joe Retton Arena. Sierra Kotchman is now tied for first all-time with Kaitlin Snyder, 2009-2013, for games played (120) at Fairmont State.

Sierra Kotchman knocked in a three-pointer to give the Fighting Falcons a four-point lead with 5:19 to play in the first quarter as the margin grew to 15 points after another three from Kotchman. Fairmont State collected another three from. Kotchman at the end of the first period to have a 29-14 advantage over the Bobcats.

The two sides traded baskets back-and-forth in the second 10 minutes of the game as Kotchman collected another one from beyond the arc to push the margin to 18 points. Frostburg State cut the deficit to seven points off a layup from Arianna Briggs-Hall to cap a 9-0 run for the Bobcats as the Falcon lead was only 32-25. Fairmont State picked up their offensive game and went into the halftime break with the 54-39 lead.

In the third quarter, the Falcons continued to hold strong as they maintained their double-digit margin throughout as Frostburg State cut into the lead more but trailed by 11 heading to the final period.

Fairmont State picked up their 10th victory of the season and eighth in Mountain East Conference play as the Falcons won 96-77 over Frostburg State.

As a team, Fairmont State shot 54.4% (37-68) from the floor with 10 three-pointers and contributed 12 points from the charity stripe. Alyssa DeAngelo paced the Falcons with 26 points, tying her career-high, on 9-12 shooting and 7-8 from the free-throw line. Kotchman followed with 18 points on 7-12 shooting and five assists. Katy Darnell (14 points), Kamrin Weimer (11 points), and Jalen Gibbs (10 points) rounded the scorers in double-figures for the Falcons in the commanding win. Fairmont State controlled the outcomes in bench points (34-17), fast-break points (8-2), and points off turnovers (25-17).

Frostburg State shot 45.6% (31-68) from the field as Briggs-Hall paced all players on the court with 27 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Kyrsten Joseph joined Briggs-Hall in double-digit scoring with 14 points as Samiya Esema collected nine points and 11 boards on the afternoon.

Fairmont State Women's Basketball (10-5, 8-2 MEC) is back inside Joe Retton Arena on Monday, January 24th at 6:00 p.m. for a MEC contest with Wheeling University.