FAIRMONT, W.Va. - The Fairmont State University women's basketball team hosted Frostburg State University in a battle for the top-seed in the Mountain East Conference tournament. The two heavyweights battled it out as the Falcons came out on top, 85-81.

The win for the Falcons positioned them atop the conference tournament as well as the regular season title. This is the program's first MEC regular season title and the first conference regular season title since 2005 (WVIAC).

Fairmont State had another reason to celebrate as it honored its lone senior, Katy Darnell. Darnell has played all five years of her collegiate-career with the Falcons, amassing over 1,400 points.

As for the game, the gym was full of energy as the two teams exchanged opening baskets. The Falcons got the transition game going as they went on a 7-0 run capped off by a three from Darnell. Frostburg State quickly ended the run with back-to-back layups to make it a three-point (9-6) game.

The home team regained control as it scored nine-straight as Alyssa DeAngelo nailed a three on the fastbreak to open it to 12 (18-6) with 5:50 in the first. The Bobcats caught fire as the Falcons went cold over the next four-plus minutes. By the end of the run, the visitors narrowed it to 18-15 but a Madeline Huffman three gave the home side a jump to hold on to a 26-19 lead going to the second.

In the second period, the defenses were the main story as neither side truly pieced together sustained runs. Around the four-minute mark, Frostburg State cut the deficit down to two (31-29) but Fairmont State responded with six-unanswered with four from Leslie Huffman. The Bobcats hit a three but Darnell made a runner in the lane to preserve a seven-point edge, 39-32, at the half.

Opening the third period, the teams were off and running again as they traded field goals. Trailing 44-36, Frostburg State rattled of 10-consecutive to take it's first lead of the game, 46-44. The lead was jockeyed between the squads until six-straight by the Falcons put them ahead, 57-52. The Bobcats made the last shot of the period, a three, to trail only two going to the final 10 minutes of regulation.

As both teams were gearing up for the final 10, the fans were trying to pump up its respective players. Fairmont State was fueled by the atmosphere and quickly added seven points to its lead with Leslie Huffman being responsible for five of them. The two sides battled until Darnell delivered a three to put the hosts up by 11 (74-63) with 4:37 to go.

Frostburg State was not done though, over the next two-plus minutes, it dropped 11 points and evened the game at 74. DeAngelo ended the run with two free throws and coming down the floor with the defensive rebound on the ensuing possession, Darnell buried another three to push the Falcons ahead, 79-74.

The Bobcats made a layup to answer but time was running out. The visitors were forced to foul as Fairmont State made all six of its free throws to secure the win along with the regular season title.

DeAngelo paced the Falcons with 25 points as Leslie Huffman added 20 to the total. Darnell totaled 15 points while grabbing nine rebounds.

Fairmont State (23-5, 16-4) now awaits its next opponent in the quarterfinals of the MEC Championship. The Falcons will play the winner of West Liberty and West Virginia Wesleyan on Thursday, March 7 at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m.