CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Fairmont State took a 30-29 advantage to the half against the University of Cincinnati before the Bearcats rallied to pick up a 71-54 victory in an exhibition game on Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Arena.

The Falcons shot 42 percent in the opening half and drained 7-of-13 three-pointers to grab the slim advantage at the break. The second half was much different for Fairmont State as the Falcons made just 9-of-32 field goals and one three-point shot in the final 20 minutes. UC shot 48 percent from the floor.

"I've been on both sides in these games," said Fairmont State head coach, Jerrod Calhoun. "Being at West Virginia for five years, I've seen all those DII schools come in and now I'm on the side of the underdog."

"They wear you down, they're big. This is one of the bigger teams I've seen," Calhoun continued. "Their strength is their physicality, their size and their length. I think it wore us down a bit."

"We also fouled a lot which has got to get cleaned up. When you foul really good teams you have to play really good on offense and you have to execute. I thought we had a lot of bad fouls."

Both teams struggled from the free throw line as the Falcons made just 6-of-11 attempts (54.5%) and the Bearcats knocked down 19-of-34 attempts (55.9%). FSU was whistled for seven more fouls than UC.

Thomas Wimbush and Jamel Morris each scored 14 points on the afternoon for the Falcons. Nick Harney also reached double-figures with 10 points. Wimbush had a team-high eight rebounds and Shammgod Wells passed out five assists.

Octavius Ellis recorded a double-double for the Bearcats with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the victory. Shaq Thomas was the only other UC player to reach double-figures with 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field.

The Falcons will open regular-season play on Friday night at Joe Retton Arena against Mercyhurst University. Tip is slated for 8 p.m.