FAIRMONT, W.Va. - - Deidra Combs scored a game-high 32 points to lead a quartet of Fairmont State players in double-figure scoring as the Fighting Falcons claimed an 82-71 Mountain East Conference victory over UVa-Wise at Joe Retton Arena Saturday.

Fairmont State (12-8, 9-5 MEC) used a 12-0 run in the third quarter to turn a three-point deficit into a 57-48 lead. Combs and Emily Puskarich each scored five points in the stretch to help give Steve McDonald's team a lead it would not relinquish.

UVa-Wise (15-7, 10-4 MEC) would cut the lead to six on a Makenzie Cluesman 3-pointer with just under two minutes to play in the third period but would be unable to get any closer. The Cavaliers would fall behind by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter before cutting the lead to single digits with less than 90 seconds to play.

The Falcons put the game away by making nine of 11 free throws in the fourth quarter. The strong free throw shooting was just one part of a three-pronged shooting display for the hosts. Fairmont State made 53.7 percent of its field goal attempts, including a 44.4 percent showing from the beyond the arc; the Falcons also tallied 16 points at the foul line on 20 attempts.

UVa-Wise got off to a good start behind the strong play of senior guard Taylor Sandidge. The Waynesboro, Va. product registered eight first quarter points to aid the visitors to a 19-17 lead after one period.

Fairmont State took a 37-35 lead to intermission behind a strong second quarter shooting performance. The Falcons made nine of their 15 field goal attempts in the 10-minute session while putting together a 10-0 run that featured two of Puskarich's four made 3-pointers. The run gave the hosts an eight-point lead, Fairmont State would eventually run the lead to 35-24 with 3:16 to play in the half before UVa-Wise began battling back.

The Cavs finished the half on an 11-2 run due in large part to junior guard Allison Ball. The Newport, Tenn. native stole a pass and converted it into a layup before adding a jumper and a free throw in the stretch. Cluesman capped the run with a 3-pointer to get the lead within two at the half.

While UVa-Wise got the game within two at the break, an argument could be made that Kristin Kunzman's team should have had the lead. The Cavs missed six free throws in the second period alone.

Missed opportunities continued to plague the visitors in the second half as the Cavs were unable to take advantage of numerous open looks and second chances. UVa-Wise collected 14 offensive rebounds in the game but converted the second chances into just nine points.

Fairmont State lost the battle of the boards 38-24 but managed to create plenty of extra opportunities despite grabbing just three offensive rebounds. McDonald's team forced 18 turnovers and scored 26 points off the UVa-Wise miscues.

Combs was nearly perfect in the win, the 5-foot-10 senior went 11-14 from the field, including a 2-3 showing from the 3-point line. The Beverly, Ohio native added six rebounds, three assists and a game-high five steals to her scoring outburst.

Puskarich netted 19 points while Makenzie White and Amanda Ruffner each posted 13 points in the victory.

Sandidge led the Cavs with 18 points, Cluesman made four 3-pointers en route to 15 points and Ball recorded 11.

Alle Moore had a strong game off the bench for UVa-Wise as the Marietta, Ohio native scored nine points and tied for game-high rebounding honors with seven.

UVa-Wise will wrap up its three-game road trip Wednesday at West Virginia Wesleyan. Tip-off from Buckhannon, W.Va. is slated for 5:30 p.m.