Institute, W.Va. - The Fairmont State University women's basketball team made the trek to face the Yellow Jackets of West Virginia State University. A tightly contested game came down to the final shot as Leslie Huffman laid one in just before the horn to give the Falcons the 78-76 win.

With 2.2 seconds on the clock, Fairmont State (17-5, 11-4) was in-bounding the ball on the far side of the court. As the play began to go in motion, Madeline Huffman threw the ball into the paint for her sister, Leslie. Leslie Huffman caught the ball over a defender and went right back up with it for the game winner.
 

Off a great inbound pass, Leslie Huffman (@Huffman2413) hits the lay in AT THE BUZZER for @FairmontWbb to beat West Virginia Dtare 78-76! pic.twitter.com/1ElwSrgelg
— NCAA D2 Buzzer Beaters (@D2BuzzerBeaters) February 11, 2024
 

Going back to the start of the second half, West Virginia State (13-9, 9-6) led 43-41 out of the locker rooms. The Falcons did not trail for long as they went on a 6-0 run to go infront by four (47-43). 

The seesaw affair kept going as both teams were evenly matched. The Yellow Jackets were unable to regain the lead completely as they tied the score at 49 and 51.

Following a layup from Leslie Huffman, the hosts made back-to-back field goals to lead 55-54 with 55 seconds on the clock. Alyssa DeAngelo made two free throws to put Fairmont State ahead by one (56-55) going to the final 10 minutes of regulation.

DeAngelo made two free throws to open the fourth before West Virginia State made a three to even the game at 58. The Falcons scored four-straight before the Yellow Jackets countered with six-unanswered points to lead 64-62 with 6:50 left in the fourth.

The visitors went ahead once more thanks to a three from DeAngelo but the hosts answered once more. Aaliyah Brunny made a three off a Madeline Huffman pass as West Virginia State hit a three of its own. 

Under a minute to go and ahead by one (74-73) DeAngelo made a layup to hopefully put her team infront for good. With 29 seconds on the clock, the Yellow Jackets hit a three to even the game once more. 

Inside of 10 seconds, Fairmont State turned the ball over but West Virginia State did the exact same as Jalen Gibbs stole the ball. FSU called a timeout to set up the game winning play in which Leslie Huffman sent the Falcons home on a high note.

Gibbs and Katy Darnell both scored 18 points on the day as Darnell grabbed 12 rebounds. DeAngelo finished with 15 while Leslie Huffman had 12 points. Inside, the Falcons scored 50 points in the paint.

Fairmont State welcomes Wheeling University on Wednesday, February 14 for a battle atop the Mountain East Conference. Tip-off will be at 5:30 p.m.