Box Score

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Kelli Jo Harrison scored 18 points to lead Fairmont State (8-9, 4-8 MEC) to a 71-58 win over Shepherd University (9-9, 5-7 MEC)  in MEC women's basketball action at Fairmont State on Saturday.

Junior guard Kari Lankford (York, Pa./West  York Area)  led the Rams with game highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds. She connected on 8-of-9 field goals with a 5-of-6 effort from the foul line. Lankford also had a team-high three assists. Lankford posted her third double-double of the season.

Junior guard Kayla Tibbs (Leesburg, Va./Heritage/Glenville State) added 14 points and nine rebounds, while senior guard Morgan Arden (Hanover, Pa./Spring Grove)  tossed in 12.

Brooke Kurucz had 15 points, Sierra Kotchman tossed in 13, while Osge Yarga had 12 for the Fighting Falcons.

Fairmont State had a 36-26 lead at halftime.

The Falcons took a 50-40 lead into the final period. Shepherd cut the lead to six points at 59-53 after a pair of free throws by Lankford with 3:46 left but would get no closer.

Shepherd shot 41.8 percent (23-55) from the floor with a 0 percent effort (0-12) from three-point range for the game. The Rams drained 80 percent (12-15) of their free throws.

Fairmont State hit on 43.6 percent (24-55) from the floor with a 21.7 percent (5-23) performance from beyond the arc. The Falcons connected on 78.3 percent (18-23) of their free throws.

Shepherd had a 37-32 edge in rebounds. The Rams forced 14 turnovers and committed 21.

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they travel to Fairmont State for a 2 p.m. contest.