FAIRMONT, W.Va. - The Fairmont State women's basketball team battled West Chester University in the Quarterfinals of the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional. The Falcons fended off a late charge by the Golden Rams to win 72-68.

"It's the NCAA Tournament, you're going to have to fight for every game," head coach Stephanie Anderson said after the game. "Our girls did exactly what they have done all season, anytime there was a run we capitalized back."

Fairmont State (27-5) had a wonderful start to the game as it opened with an 11-0 run with five points from Alyssa DeAngelo. West Chester (24-7) responded with a run of its own, 6-0, behind Leah Johnson.

Madeline Huffman hit a three to slow the run down but the Golden Rams scored the next six points and only trailed two (14-12) with 1:40 left in the period. Both sides added two more points as the Falcons held a 16-14 edge going to the second. 

The back-and-forth nature continued into the second before Fairmont State dropped six-straight to open a 25-18 lead with 6:40 on the clock. After two free throws by the visitors, Katy Darnell led the team on an 8-0 run to expand the lead to 13 (33-20). 

West Chester did not go away as it answered with its own 8-0 run to trail by five (33-28) with 1:50 to go in the half. The teams traded for the remainder of the period as the Falcons led 37-32 going to the locker room.

Out of the half, the two squads picked back up right where they left off with the exchanging of shots. Midway through the period, the Golden Rams narrowed the margin to three (48-45) with 5:13 on the clock but Fairmont State responded once more. The hosts went on a 12-2 run to lead 58-47 with just over a minute left. West Chester scored the final four points of the period as FSU held a seven-point lead going to the final 10 minutes of regulation.

To start the fourth, the Golden Rams quickly wiped away the difference and evened the game at 58. Bre Wilson hit a three to push the team in front as the Falcons started to find their footing again. Free throws became crucial down the stretch once more for Fairmont State as the team was trying to preserve the lead.

The Falcons were 6-8 from the charity stripe over the final two minutes as West Chester did slim the gap to one (69-68) but were unable to find any success afterwards. FSU held on for the four-point victory.

"We thrive on the defensive end," coach Anderson added. "These players have become extremely gritty and they thrive in moments and come through in late moments like that."

DeAngelo finished the night with 20 points, making nine of her 10 free throw attempts. Katy Darnell added 15 points and seven rebounds. As a team, the Falcons assisted on 15 of their 22 made field goals.

"I want to do anything that will help our team win," Darnell said in the press conference. "Whether that is scoring or rebounding, I feel like that I just wanted to provide my team with some sort of spark."

"I did what our team needed," DeAngelo mentioned. "I ran point here and there and got us into the sets we need. I think that's what is so great about us as a group, we all are willing to do whatever we need to do to win."

Fairmont State will face Fayetteville State University on Saturday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m. from Joe Retton Arena for the semifinals of the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional. For coverage of everything within the regional, go to our Tournament Central.