FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The second-ranked Fairmont State men's basketball team shot nearly 62 percent from the floor and led by as many as 47 in a 118-85 rout of West Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon inside Joe Retton Arena.
The Falcons (18-0, 12-0 MEC) were unstoppable in every phase of the game on offense, shooting 61.8 percent from the field (47-of-76) and 58.3 percent from three (14-of-24). The Falcons also dropped in 62 points in the paint, including 16 second-chance points. FSU also held a 33-25 rebounding advantage in the victory.
The FSU defense also harassed Wesleyan into 19 turnovers, which resulted in 35 points off turnovers (19 on the fast-break).
Fairmont State senior point guard
Shammgod Wells has began his assault on the FSU record book by becoming the school's all-time leader in steals (196) during the victory over the Bobcats.
Ironically, Well's second steal of the game, which gave him the school record, resulted in an assist after finding a streaking
Cory Saddler down the court for a fast-break layup. Wells also passed Warren Doles to move into second place in school history in assists during the win. Wells needs just 51 assists to pass Brian Tristani to also become the school's all-time leader in that category.
Wells was one of five Falcons to reach double-figures, finishing the evening with 12 points, 10 assists and two steals.
Matt Bingaya led the Falcons with 21 points and five rebounds in the win. The Falcons also got 19 points from
Thomas Wimbush, 11 points from
Jason Jolly and 10 points and eight rebounds from
Troy Cantrell. Each of the 12 FSU players that checked into the game scored.
Wesleyan (8-10, 5-7 MEC) also shot over 50 percent from the field (29-of-52), placing five players in double-figures. Kevin Kangni scored a team-high 18 points for the Bobcats and Mo Berchie added 17 to go along with five assists. The Bobcats knocked-down 22-of-31 free throw attempts.
The Falcons will play game two of their four-game home stand next Thursday when Concord comes to town for a 7:30 p.m. tip.
