FAIRMONT, W.Va. - The Fairmont State University women's basketball hosted Wheeling University in a pivotal Mountain East Conference matchup. After falling to the Cardinals earlier in January, the Falcons picked up the home win, 78-71.

To open the game, Fairmont State (18-5, 12-4) scored the first six points. Wheeling (16-7, 11-5) responded with four-straight before the Falcons netted eight-unanswered to lead 14-4 with 4:45 left in the first period.  The game of runs continued with six-straight from the Cardinals. The two teams traded makes to close out the period with the home side ahead, 22-16.

A slower start to the second period as both teams started to find a defensive groove. A three by Leslie Huffman followed by three free throws on the next possession gave Fairmont State a 35-24 lead with 3:43 left in the half. Wheeling's offense picked up the pace and went on a 13-0 run to jump ahead 37-35 with under a minute to go. Alyssa DeAngelo made two free throws to tie the game (37-37) going into the half.

Just like the start of the game, the Falcons kicked off the second half with a 6-0 run with four points from Katy Darnell. The two squads went a little back-and-forth until a DeAngelo three followed by two Bre Wilson free throws to put the home side ahead, 59-48. Over the final minute, it was all Cardinals as they scored the final five to set a 59-53 stage going to the final 10 minutes of regulation.

Each team had an answer for the other for the first half of the period. DeAngelo hit another three to make it an eight-point edge (71-63) but Wheeling narrowed the margin two just two with 3:04 to go. A Leslie Huffman layup then free throws from Jalen Gibbs, Wilson and DeAngelo sealed the seven-point win.

Huffman finished with 22 points while DeAngelo dropped 19, going 7-8 from the free throw line. Darnell recorded her fourth double-double in five games with 17 points and 10 rebounds. The win puts the Falcons atop the MEC going into the final two-plus weeks of the season.

Fairmont State hits the road to face the Hilltoppers of West Liberty on Saturday, February 17. Start time is set for 2:00 p.m.