Men's Basketball

DII Showcase Comes To Fairmont Sunday

Game Day Central
Live Video: NCAA.com
TV: ASN (Both Games) / Root Sports Pittsburgh (Men's Game)
Radio: SKY 106.5 FM (Men's Game)
Live Stats: Women's Game / Men's Game
Coach Mac's Corner (WBB)


Complete Game Notes
Women's: Fairmont State | West Liberty
Men's: Fairmont State | West Liberty

Ticket Information
Single Game Tickets
$10 - Reserved (Lower Level)*
$8 - General Admission/Upper Level (Adults)
$6 - General Admission/Upper Level (Seniors)
Free - FSU Students (with ID)

Student Promotion
Through the 2016-17 season, all secondary and elementary aged students will receive a free general admission ticket to Fairmont State men's and women's basketball games. In addition, all parent or guardians that accompany any secondary or elementary aged children to the game will receive half-price admission when purchasing general admission tickets.

*all reserved tickets are $10, regardless of age
 

Fairmont State WBB Notebook

- Fairmont State enters Sunday afternoon's contest with an overall record of 3-3 and are 1-2 in MEC play.

- West Liberty leads the all-time series record between the programs by a 39-33 margin, in a series that began back in 1979. WLU has also won the last six games in the series.

- FSU started off the season 2-0 following the MEC/PSAC crossover, but have dropped three of its last four games.

- The Falcons dropped a 53-48 decision against Wheeling Jesuit on Wednesday evening on the road, being held off late in the game.

- FSU was held to just 36.4 percent from the floor, including 17.6 percent from three and were outrebounded 44-26 in the contest.

- Four players are averaging double-figure scoring this season for the Lady Falcons, led by Amanda Ruffner's 16.0 points per game.

- Emily Puskarich leads the Mountain East and is tied for fourth in the country with an average of 4.0 steals per game. Puskarich is also tied for fifth in the county in total steals (24). The senior deep-threat is also second on the team in scoring (13.7) and has a team-high 16 three-pointers.

- Makenzie White leads the team in rebounding (7.7) and assists (3.5) and is third on the team in scoring, averaging 12.5 points per game. 

- Deidra Combs leads the MEC and is 16th in the country in free-thow percentage (.950). Combs is the fourth FSU player averaging double figures this season at 12.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.


Scouting West Liberty

- West Liberty enters Sunday's MEC matchup with an overall record of 1-6 and a conference mark of 1-2.

- The Hilltoppers are currently on a two-game skid after dropping a 69-57 decision to the Shepherd Rams on Wednesday evening at West Liberty.

- WLU is lead on offense by McKenna Shives, averaging 12.9 points per game. Shives is the only Hilltopper averaging double-figures.


Fairmont State MBB Notebook

- The Fairmont State men's basketball team is off to a 6-0 start to the 2016-17 season, defeating No. 4 Wheeling Jesuit, 95-92, in overtime to set up Sunday's battle of unbeaten teams against top-ranked West Liberty (7-0, 3-0 MEC).

- Fairmont State leads the all-time series with West Liberty, 84-63, in a series that began back in 1925.

- After starting the season at No. 25 in the NABC Coaches' Poll, the Falcons have climbed to No. 11 in the third edition of the rankings that were released on Tuesday afternoon. The Falcons are also ranked 12th in the D2SIDA Media Poll.

- The Falcons were picked second in the 2016-17 preseason poll following a vote by the league's coaches. WLU finished atop the MEC preseason poll.

- Matt Bingaya, a 2015-16 first team All-MEC and All-Region pick, returns for his senior season after averaging a team-high 18.2 points per game as a junior. 

- Bingaya was nearly unstoppable on Wednesday against Wheeling, scoring 28 points, pulling down eight rebounds and passing out five assists. Bingaya was 8-of-14 from the field and 12-of-13 from the line in the victory. Bingaya also scored 28 points in a win over national-power Findlay (OH) earlier this season.

- Thomas Wimbush also earned All-MEC honors a season ago and is currently second on the team in scoring, averaging 17.2 points and nine rebounds per outing this season. Wimbush scored a career-high 39 points and nine boards in a win over Glenville State back on Nov. 21 and he chipped in 18 points and six rebounds on Wednesday in the win over WJU.

Scouting the 'Toppers

• The top-ranked West Liberty Hilltoppers enter Sunday's top-15 matchup with an overall record of 7-0 and a 3-0 mark in conference play.

• Despite averaging 101.1 points per game this season, West Liberty has been limited to just 71.5 points in their last two games.

• The high-powered Hilltopper offense has seven players averaging at least nine points per game this season, led by Devin Hoehn at 17.3 points per game. 
 

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Players Mentioned

Deidra Combs

#32 Deidra Combs

G/F
5' 10"
Senior
Exercise Science
Emily Puskarich

#10 Emily Puskarich

G
5' 8"
Senior
Exercise Science
Amanda Ruffner

#14 Amanda Ruffner

F
5' 10"
Senior
Criminal Justice
Makenzie White

#3 Makenzie White

G
5' 9"
Senior
Criminal Justice
Matt Bingaya

#2 Matt Bingaya

F/G
6' 4"
Senior
Thomas Wimbush

#20 Thomas Wimbush

F/G
6' 7"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Deidra Combs

#32 Deidra Combs

5' 10"
Senior
Exercise Science
G/F
Emily Puskarich

#10 Emily Puskarich

5' 8"
Senior
Exercise Science
G
Amanda Ruffner

#14 Amanda Ruffner

5' 10"
Senior
Criminal Justice
F
Makenzie White

#3 Makenzie White

5' 9"
Senior
Criminal Justice
G
Matt Bingaya

#2 Matt Bingaya

6' 4"
Senior
F/G
Thomas Wimbush

#20 Thomas Wimbush

6' 7"
Senior
F/G