FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The Fairmont State University women's basketball team faced Wheeling University to open the second half of the season. After doubling up on the Cardinals in the third period, the Falcons were able to claim the game by final of 85-64.

Alyssa DeAngelo led all scorers with 20 points as Aaliyah Brunny added 17 points off the bench, going 5-10 from behind the arc. Jalen Gibbs finished the evening with 16 points and nine rebounds. As a team, the Falcons scored 33 points off 24 Wheeling turnovers.

Fairmont State (10-3, 5-2) opened the game with seven of the first nine points. Wheeling (6-7, 3-3) was able to cut the deficit to just two (7-5) but the Falcons were able grow the lead back to five after a three by Madeline Huffman. This trend continued for the entirety of the period as Jalen Gibbs made consecutive layups to give the hosts a 23-16 lead going to the second.

In the opening minute of the period, the Falcons extended their lead to 12 (28-16) after a three by Alyssa DeAngelo and a layup by Leslie Huffman. The Cardinals battled back and following a 9-1 run, only trailed 29-25 with 5:41 left on the clock. Fairmont State responded with a small run of its own as Leila Jones converted two three-point shots to put the team ahead by 11 (39-28). Wheeling scored the closing four points of the half but FSU remained in front, 39-32, at the half.

Starting the third, the Falcons scored eight-straight points with threes by Leslie Huffman and Bre Wilson. The Cardinals trimmed the lead to 10 on two occasions but Fairmont State kept control of the game. In the final minutes of the third period, Madeline Huffman scored on a fastbreak before finding Aaliyah Brunny for a three to extend the advantage to 19 (63-44) going into the final 10 minutes of regulation.

Wheeling hit the first three of final period but FSU scored nine-consecutive points including four from the free throw line by DeAngelo. From there, the Falcons were put on cruise control and won by the 21-point margin as the final horn sounded.

On the day, the Falcons shot 47-percent from the field (31-66) including 16 second chance points. In the paint, FSU scored 30 points with 29 total points coming from the bench.

Fairmont State travels to West Liberty University on Saturday, January 11 for its next game. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.