FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The Fairmont State University women's basketball team geared up for a Mountain East Conference showdown with Frostburg State University. A strong third period helped push the Falcons towards an 86-66 victory.

Jalen Gibbs dropped 23 points on the afternoon while also grabbing 14 rebounds. The graduate forward shot 81.8-percent (9-11) from the field and made five of her six free throw attempts. Alyssa DeAngelo added 18 points while Leslie Huffman finished the day with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists and steals.

Fairmont State (15-3, 9-2) started the game with a layup from Leslie Huffman. From there, Frostburg State (11-7, 6-5) took control with eight-straight points. The Falcons slowly chipped away the deficit and after a 9-1 run found themselves in front by two (13-11). The two sides traded the lead before Madeline Huffman hit a three before Jalen Gibbs laid one in. A late three by the Bobcats closed out the first as Fairmont State led 20-18.

Opening the second period, Fairmont State had the three ball falling with a 9-1 run including two three-point shots by Leslie Huffman. The Falcons maintained the lead even though Frostburg State trimmed the lead to five (32-27) with 2:02 left in the half. Fairmont State expanded the lead to nine before the visitors hit a mid-range jumper to make it a 36-29 game at the break.

The hosts came out of the locker room and slowly stretched the lead to double digits (46-34) with 7:08 on the clock. The Bobcats outscored the Falcons by four over the next two minutes to cut the difference to six (48-42). However, Fairmont State quickly responded with a 15-2 stretch to hold a 63-44 lead. Frostburg State scored the next six points but Alyssa DeAngelo notched five-straight points to give the home side a 68-50 lead going to the final 10 minutes of regulation.

In the fourth period, the two sides went back-and-fourth with small runs before the Falcons went on an 8-0 run to lead by 23 (82-59). Over the final two minutes, the maroon and white were able to cruise to the 20-point victory.

The Falcon defense forced 19 turnovers and converted them into 23 points. Also a balanced attack from the bench aided in the win as four Falcons combined for 21 points.

Fairmont State hosts Concord University on Wednesday, January 29 for its next MEC contest. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.