Second-ranked Fairmont State controlled the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, 98-76, on Saturday evening at the Prior Center to push its winning-streak to 13 games.
The Falcons are now 19-1 overall and 13-1 in the Mountain East Conference heading into Thursday’s top 10 showdown with the No. 8 Hilltoppers of West Liberty at Joe Retton Arena (tip set for 7:30 p.m.). UVa-Wise falls to 3-17 overall and 1-13 in the league.
With FSU holding a one-point advantage (10-9) at the 14:26 mark of the opening half, the Falcons went on a 30-6 run over the next 11 minutes to take control of the game and gain their largest lead (40-15) at the 3:26 mark.
The Falcons raised their field goal percentage by 14 percent in the second half, making 22-of-39 shots (56.4%) in the final 20 minutes to maintain a double-digit lead of at least 17 points for the rest of the game. The Falcons shot just 42 percent from the floor in the opening half.
The Cavs also struggled from the field in the opening half, going just 8 of 27 from the field (29.6%). Much like the Falcons, UVa-Wise improved drastically in the second half, shooting over 60 percent.
For the game, the Falcons shot just under 50 percent from the field and drained 14 of 31 shots from behind the arc. FSU also finished with 21 assists and turned the ball over just nine times.
In addition, Fairmont also dominated the paint, scoring 46 points down low and out rebounded the Cavs by 18 (47-29). The Falcons also held a 27-2 advantage in second-chance points, pulling down 20 offensive boards.
Matt Bingaya led the Falcons with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the victory. The Falcons also got 13 points from Jamel Morris, 12 from Vonte Montgomery and 10 from Caleb Davis. Chase Connor and R.J. Hutcherson each chipped in nine points and Thomas Wimbush went over 1,000 career points after scoring eight. Wimbush now has 1,005 career points in his career at Fairmont State.
The Cavs also placed four players in double-figures, led by Matt Day with 23 points and nine rebounds.
