The ninth-ranked Fairmont State University women's basketball team faced Wheeling University in a road Mountain East Conference showdown. After a sluggish start for the Falcons, the team rallied to force overtime against the Cardinals. Unfortunately, the Falcons fell in the extra period, 72-70.

Out of the gate, Wheeling (10-4, 5-1) jumped out to an 11-4 lead over the first 4:31 of action. The home side went 4-6 from the field while Fairmont State (11-2, 6-1) struggled, only making one of its five attempts.

The Falcons responded with a 6-0 run, capped off by a Leslie Huffman three-point make to make it a one-point game (11-10) with 4:04 left in the first period. For the remainder of the period, the Cardinals outscored the visitors 9-4 and led 20-14.

Wheeling notched the first basket of the second, but Fairmont State came alive offensively. The Falcons rattled off 10-consecutive points with five off the hand of Huffman. With the run, the visitors now led for the first time, 24-22 with 6:42 in the half.

The home squad quickly answered by tying the game and eventually lead 31-28 with just over a minute remaining. Under 30 seconds on the clock, Huffman nailed her fourth three of the game to tie it at 31 as both teams headed to their respective locker rooms.

Wheeling started another period with the hot hand, scoring 13 points on 6-11 shooting to go in front 44-37. Fairmont did not let the advantage last long as it dropped eight-straight points, making 4-6 free throws to recapture the edge, 45-44.

The Cardinals tallied the next four points and looked to lead going to the final 10 minutes of regulation. With eight ticks left on the clock, Aaliyah Brunny hit a three to even game at 48 going into the fourth.

Similar to every other period, the home side regained the lead, this time with a 15-5 run. Trailing 63-53 with just over five minutes left in regulation, the Falcons held the Cardinals to just two points while dropping in 12 to force overtime, tied at 65.

In the extra period, Fairmont State was effective at the charity stripe going 5-8. In the meantime, Wheeling made a three-point shot and trailed 70-68 with a minute left on the clock. In those final 60 seconds, the Falcons were held scoreless (0-2 from the field) while the home side made a layup and two free throws for the two-point win.

Huffman finished the evening with 23 points, a collegiate-high, along with eight rebounds. Jalen Gibbs added 14 points while Katy Darnell nearly had a double-double with 12 points and nine boards.

Fairmont State returns to the Joe Retton Arena on Saturday, January 13 to face West Liberty University. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m.