FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Fairmont State women's basketball team (6-3, 4-2 Mountain East Conference) dropped a home conference game 89-71 against the defending national champions, No. 18 ranked Glenville State (7-1, 5-1 MEC) on Saturday (Dec. 10) afternoon at Joe Retton Arena in Fairmont, W.Va.
 
Jalen Gibbs led Fairmont State with 16 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Gibbs tied for the highest-scoring player during the contest. Katie Darnell scored 14 points to go along with six boards. Alyssa DeAngelo chipped in with 12 points, where she went 5-9 from the field. Darnell and DeAngelo finished the contest with two steals each. Jertaya Hall added 10 points, four rebounds and a steal. 
 
The Falcons got off to a nice start with a jumper from DeAngelo with 9:35 to play in the first quarter that would put Fairmont State up 2-0. Glenville State gained the lead to make the score 4-2 at the 6:18 mark. Fairmont State responded when Hall connected on a triple and a layup to make the score 7-4. After being down, 17-11, Fairmont State fought back with two free throws from Jalen Gibbs to make the score 17-13 with 40 seconds left in the first quarter. Fairmont State was able to hold the Pioneers to a four-point lead at the end of one. 
 
Fairmont State minimized Glenville State's lead with two free throws converted by Darnell with 8:55 to play to make the score 17-15. Glenville State would eventually take a 28-21 advantage over Fairmont State. Two baskets by DeAngelo and Darnell helped the Falcons to close in on Glenville State's lead to only three points at 31-28 with 3:33 left in the second quarter. The Pioneers went on another scoring streak with six unanswered points. Gracie Lamm grabbed a bucket right before the buzzer to make the score 44-33 in favor of GSU at the end of the half.
 
Glenville State went up 49-33 before Hall converted a layup with 8:44 left in the third period. The Pioneers were able to extend their lead after a seven-point uncontested run to make the score 56-35. Gibbs converted on a layup and a steal. Lamm also assisted her team with a layup and four free throw points during the quarter. Glenville State continued to put the pedal down offensively to finish the third quarter with a score of 74-47. 
 
The Pioneers continued to build on their advantage throughout the fourth quarter. The Falcons trimmed GSU's lead with a layup and a three from DeAngelo that would make the score 81-67 with 4:23 to play in the final quarter. Darnell tossed in two free throws and a layup with 2:39 to go. Glenville State did not lead by fewer than double digits in the fourth quarter and came away with a road conference win.
 
The Falcons will host California (Pa.) this Monday (Dec. 12). The game will tipoff at 2:00 p.m. at Joe Retton Arena.