WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. -- Fairmont State held off a late surge by Mercyhurst to pick up a 68-63 victory and advance to Sunday's Atlantic Region Semifinals against top-seed and host West Liberty. Tip for Sunday's game is set for 7:30 p.m. at the ASRC.

With FSU holding a 64-53 lead with 4:29 remaining after a pair of free throws by Jamel Morris, MU went on an 8-0 run to cut Fairmont's lead to just three points (66-63) with 1:54 remaining. The Lakers scored six second-chance points during the stretch and forced a costly FSU turnover.

After both teams came up empty on back-to-back possessions, Mercyhurst regained possession on a team rebound with 35 seconds remaining. Jean Onana's three with just under four seconds left rimmed out and Thomas Wimbush iced the game by nailing a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to push the final score to 68-63.

Nick Harney led the Falcons with 26 points and 10 rebounds to record his eighth double-double of the season. Morris also reached double figures for the Falcons with 13 points in the win. Caleb Davis added nine points and three assists for the Falcons.

After shooting just 36 percent in the opening half, FSU went 11-of-23 (47.8%) from the field in the second half to close out the victory. FSU was also 24-of-28 from the free throw line.

The Falcons committed 11 of their 16 turnovers in the opening half and had just two assists as the teams went into the locker room with the score tied, 31-31.

Mercyhurst shot 39.3 percent (22-of-56) from the field and held a 34-33 advantage on the glass. The Lakers were led by Damon Jones and Onana with 11 points apiece. Callon Dailey also reached double figures with 10 points and James Ewing led MU on the glass with seven rebounds to go along with eight points.

Fairmont State will take on West Liberty for the third time this season on Sunday evening in the regional semifinals at the ASRC. The teams split their regular season meetings and will meet in the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years. West Liberty shot 70 percent from the floor and came just five points away from an NCAA record for points in an NCAA Tournament game with its 127-89 victory over CIAA Tournament Champion Livingstone.