FAIRMONT, W.Va. - The Fairmont State University women's basketball team faced the University of Charleston. After leading for a majority of the game, the Falcons fell to Golden Eagles, 70-66.

From the opening tip, both squads were evenly matched. As one side scored, the other had an answer until Leslie Huffman hit a three to put Fairmont State (16-4, 10-4) ahead, 9-8. The shot sparked an 8-0 run to go up by six (14-8).

Charleston (13-8, 9-5) scored the next four points before the Falcons closed the period on a 6-0 stretch. As the game headed to the second, FSU led 20-12.

Throughout the period, the home side held its advantage and even led by 13 (31-18) with 3:32 left in the half. At this point, the Golden Eagles came to life as they outscored the hosts, 13-2 and trailed 33-31 with 56 seconds on the clock.

Aaliyah Brunny hit a three but Charleston had a three of its own to close out the half. As both teams went to their respective locker rooms, Fairmont State led 36-34.

Charleston evened the to start the third before the Falcons slowly regained the advantage and led 48-40 with 6:34 left in the third. The Golden Eagles notched six-straight points to pull within two. Three-point shots by Alyssa DeAngelo and Leslie Huffman put FSU ahead 54-48 but the visitors scored the final four points to make it a 54-52 game going to the fourth.

In the opening portions of the fourth, the lead went back-and-forth before Charleston scored seven-consecutive points to lead 64-59 with 3:55 left in regulation. Layups by Bre Wilson and Jalen Gibbs cut the deficit to one (64-63) but that was the closest Fairmont State got to capturing the lead.

Inside the final minute, the home side had four turnovers while the opposing side made free throws to close out the game. DeAngelo finished with a team-high 16 points but the team was out-rebounded by 17 (43-26).

Fairmont State will travel to West Virginia State on Saturday, February 10 at 2:00 p.m.