The Yellow Jackets fought back from an early 18-point deficit to beat visiting Fairmont State 92-84 Monday evening.
The Falcons (3-2) jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead but back-to-back 3-pointers from Jasmine Davis and Amari Grace pulled WVSU even.
Fairmont State answered with a 20-2 run to pull ahead 28-10 and it looked like the Yellow Jackets were in trouble.
That ended up being the visitor's biggest lead of the game though as the WVSU players dug deep and gradually fought their way back into the game.
"It was a good team win, one we can build off of," WVSU Head Coach Charles Marshall said. "We faced a lot of adversity and everyone contributed."
Sophomore starter Sydney Bates missed the game due to and injury suffered in Saturday's contest and assistant coach Ginny Mills had to miss due to a family emergency.
The Yellow Jackets overcame all of that along with some poor shooting and trailed just 45-37 at halftime. They finally drew even at 56-56 with 4:30 left in the third period on a 3-pointer by Amari Grace.
It seemed like the real game began then.
After Fairmont went back ahead by two Grace hit another one from outside to give WVSU its first lead of the game at 59-58 with 3:37 remaining in the quarter.
After the squads traded buckets and leads and by the time the dust had settled the Yellow Jackets had managed to pull ahead 71-67 by the end of the third.
Another 3-pointer from Grace and a driving lay-up off a steal by Alexandra Jackson in the closing minute provided the margin.
"Amari has been one of our most consistent players all year, that's why she got the start tonight," Marshall said. "As a freshman to come out and hit 7-of-12 behind the arc is huge."
After hitting only 30 percent from the floor in the first half the Jackets found the range and hit a torrid 13-of-18 shots, 72.2 percent, in the third period.
Grace hit yet again from outside the arc and senior Aurreshae Hines pulled down a defensive board and took it the distance for a lay-up to give WVSU its biggest advantage at 76-68 with 7:52 to play.
Fairmont State did not go away though and fought back to within 86-84 with 24 seconds to play.
But Hines sank six straight pressure free throws down the stretch to ensure the victory.
"She took over and that's what we need her to do," Marshall said. "That's what we need her to do every night because she is that good."
Grace hit 7-of-12, all 3-pointers, to finish with 21 points. Hines added 18, Jasmine Davis 17, and Jackson 12.
Denisha Bowman ended up with eight points and 12 rebounds while blocking three shots.
After that 30 percent shooting in the opening half WVSU ended up hitting 43.7 percent on the game from the floor and 81 percent, 17-21, from the free throw line.
After taking a break for Thanksgiving the Yellow Jackets host Seton Hill Sunday at 200 p.m. in non-conference action.
