WHEELING, W.Va. -- The 19th-ranked Fairmont State University women's basketball team squared off against Glenville State University for the Mountain East Conference Championship. Despite trailing into the third period, the Falcons battled back to win the game, 79-65 and win their second-straight MEC Championship.

"We had to go through a lot of adversity, which is what you should have to go through to win a championship," head coach Stephanie Anderson said in the post game press conference. "They wanted it so bad but we had to figure out how to do it together. As soon as that clicked, everything changed and I'm extremely proud of them."

Alyssa DeAngelo led the falcons with 21 points, going 6-13 from the field. Leslie Huffman scored 20 points on the afternoon with nine rebounds and four steals while Jalen Gibbs finished with a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

Fairmont State (27-4) started the game hot with a 9-1 run in the first five minutes. Glenville State (19-12) battled back and cut the difference to two (11-9) before Aaliyah Brunny hit a three. However, the Pioneers scored the final four points of the period as the Falcons led 14-13 going to the second. 

In the second, FSU once again knocked down the first couple shots but Glenville State responded with the next five points to even the score at 18. Fairmont State was able to regain the advantage and stretched it out to a six-point lead (26-20) with 4:49 left in the half but the Pioneers did not fade away. The team in blue and white slow chipped away and tied the game once more at 28. A Leila Jones three followed by two free throws by Alyssa DeAngelo gave the Falcons a three-point advantage but GSU scored the closing six points to hold a 36-33 edge going to halftime.

Out of the locker room, Fairmont State tried to close the gap but were unsuccessful as the Pioneers remained in front by six (49-43) with 4:29 on the clock. The Falcons offense then came alive with five-straight points from Jalen Gibbs. After a GSU layup, Leslie Huffman and Alyssa DeAngelo combined for 10 points to push Fairmont ahead by seven (58-51) going to the final 10 minutes of regulation.

The Falcons carried the momentum over to the fourth period as they scored 10 of the first 12 points to lead 68-53 with just under seven minutes to go. Glenville State tried to mount a comeback but most of its points came from the free throw line while Fairmont State was perfect from the line (6-6) in the final two minutes to secure the win and back-to-back titles.

Fairmont State will now await the announcement of the NCAA Divsion II Atlantic Region Bracket to see who and where they will be playing. The NCAA Division II Tournament will kickoff on Friday, March 14. To see who and where the Falcons will play, follow this link.