FAIRMONT – The Fairmont State Falcons continued its league-leading season with a dominant 75-46 victory over West Virginia Wesleyan at Joe Retton Arena. The Mountain East Conference No. 1 Falcons, improved its record to 23-4 overall (16-3 MEC), while the MEC’s No. 2 Bobcats dropped to 18-8 (12-7 MEC).
Fairmont State jumped out to an early 10-0 lead behind back-to-back three-pointers from Madeline Huffman and Leslie Huffman. The Bobcats struggled with turnovers early, leading to easy transition buckets for the Falcons and Wesleyan trailed 20-12 at the end of the first quarter.
The Falcons continued its efficient shooting in the second period, fueled by Alyssa DeAngelo and Leila Jones, who knocked down a combined three triples. Fairmont’s perimeter defense also stifled Wesleyan, holding the Bobcats to just 3-of-10 (30%) shooting in the quarter. By halftime, the Falcons built a commanding 42-21 lead, capitalizing on 12 Wesleyan turnovers that led to 17 fast-break points.
Fairmont State came out firing after the break, pouring in 23 points in the third quarter behind the play of Leila Jones, who led all scorers with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting. The Falcons attacked the paint relentlessly, outscoring Wesleyan 32-18 in the paint overall. Wesleyan struggled from beyond the arc, missing all four of their three-point attempts in the quarter while Fairmont extended its lead to 65-31 entering the fourth.
With the game out of reach, both teams rotated bench players in the final frame, giving key minutes to reserves. Wesleyan showed some fight, winning the quarter 15-10, led by Caitlyn Sullivan, who led the team in scoring with 10 points. Notably, the MEC’s second best points scorer, Wesleyan’s Emma Witt, was shutout in 21 minutes of play.
Key Performers
Fairmont State Falcons:
- Leila Jones: 16 points, 3 rebounds, 6-7 FG
- Alyssa DeAngelo: 13 points, 3 assists, 3-4 3PT
- Leslie Huffman: 9 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
- Gabby Reep: 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats:
- Caitlyn Sullivan: 10 points, 4 rebounds
- Sydney Baird: 7 points, 3-6 FG
- Shelby Genes: 6 points, 2-6 3PT
By The Numbers
- Fairmont State shot 50.9% (29-57) from the field and 44% (11-25) from three.
- Wesleyan hit just 32.1% (17-53) from the floor and 27.8% (5-18) from deep.
- Fairmont State scoring 29 points off 20 Bobcat turnovers.
- Fairmont State’s reserves contributed 36 points, compared to 25 for Wesleyan.
The Bobcats close out the regular season Saturday, March 1 against the MEC’s last-place team Davis & Elkins College at the Rockefeller Center where it will be Senior Day. Game time is 2 p.m. and admission is free.
