The Fairmont State University women's basketball team faced Salem University in a non-conference matchup. Despite a slow first period, the Falcons used a strong second half to secure the win, 67-58.

Salem (3-12) ran out of the gates with a 9-2 run for the first four-plus minutes. Fairmont State (13-2) cut the deficit to three with layups from Aaliyah Brunny and Zaniya Murray. The Tigers added five more points before Madeline Huffman made a three-point basket with 35 seconds on the clock to make it a 14-9 game.

To start the second, the two sides went back-and-forth until the Falcons rattled off eight-straight with back-to-back threes from Brunny and Alyssa DeAngelo to put the team head by two (20-18). Salem quickly tied the game and with two threes of its own, went ahead, 26-21 with 3:28 left in the first half.

Katy Darnell and Jalen Gibbs scored the final three points of the half as both squads missed multiple shots. At the half, it was the visitors in front, 26-24.

Coming out of halftime, DeAngelo buried a three and set the tone for FSU. The home team scored 10 of the next 11 points to lead 34-27. Following an exchanging of makes, the Falcons pushed their lead to 11 (44-33) but the Tigers scored eight-unanswered to pull back within three (44-41) with under 30 seconds left in the third. Madeline Huffman made a three with five seconds left to push the home team ahead, 47-41 going to the final 10 minutes of regulation.

Starting the fourth, Fairmont State looked to take control of the game and led by 11 (52-41) following another DeAngelo three. Salem did not go away easily as it outscored the hosts, 14-3, over the next three-plus minutes to even the score at 55.

At this point, the Falcons regained control off the hot hand of Darnell who drained two threes to jump start a 10-0 stretch to seal the win by nine.

Darnell led FSU with 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists. DeAngelo and Gibbs each finished with 15 points while Gibbs also grabbed 11 rebounds. The Falcons forced 22 turnovers on the evening while only committing 13.

Fairmont State returns to Mountain East play on Saturday, January 20 as it travels to Notre Dame (Ohio). Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.