CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Fairmont State women's basketball team (14-7, 9-5 Mountain East Conference) fell in the final seconds to Charleston (16-4, 11-3 MEC) on Saturday (Jan. 28) afternoon at the Wehrle Innovation Center in Charleston, W.Va.
 
After trailing 18 points late in the third quarter, the Fighting Falcons stormed back to tie the game with 19 seconds to go. Leslie Huffman completed a three-point play to even the score in the last minute of the final quarter. On the ensuing possession, UC's Dakota Reeves was fouled with one second left in the act of shooting and sank three free throws that staved off the Fairmont State comeback.
 
Leslie Huffman finished with a season-high 21 points and made 11-of-12 shots from the line. Alyssa DeAngelo led the Falcons with six rebounds and netted 21 points to go along with three assists and a block. Katy Darnell scored 10 points and pulled down five boards.
 
After Fairmont State controlled the opening tip, DeAngelo assisted Jertaya Hall on a three-pointer to open the scoring. UC ripped off 10-consecutive points and led by seven halfway through the first quarter. Aaliyah Brunny scored five points in the final 4:56 of the first quarter to add to Fairmont State's total. Charleston led by nine after 10 minutes of play. With Fairmont State down 11 points, Leslie Huffman and Darnell scored 10 points on a 10-2 run that brought the Fighting Falcons within three points with 3:33 left in the second quarter. The Golden Eagles responded with a 10-2 run on their own to build their lead back to 11 points at the break.
 
The Golden Eagles extended their lead to 18 points with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter. DeAngelo made consecutive jumpers that trimmed the deficit to 13 points at the end of the third quarter. Leslie Huffman scored six-straight points for Fairmont State to put the Falcons within seven points of the UC lead. The Golden Eagles answered with four-consecutive points and the lead increased to 11 points. Madeline Huffman drilled a shot from beyond the arc that completed a 5-0 Fairmont State run to bring the Falcons within six points of Charleston's lead. Leslie Huffman converted two free throws to cut the deficit to two points with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter. She would tie the game with 19 seconds to go after scoring a layup and making a free throw. On the next possession, Reeves scooped up a loose ball with less than a second remaining and was fouled after attempting a three-point shot. The Golden Eagles escaped with a 73-70 win.
 
The Fairmont State women's basketball team is back in action on Wednesday (Feb. 1) for a road game at Glenville State beginning at 5:30 p.m.