CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Fairmont State escaped its Mountain East Conference opener against the University of Charleston, 105-104, in overtime on Saturday evening in Charleston. Andrew Emrick dropped in a layup with 0.9 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Falcons the win.
 
The Falcons led by 11 points at the 2:54 mark of the second half before Charleston went on a furious rally to force overtime.
 
Fairmont State (3-1, 1-0 MEC) opened up a 52-40 advantage at halftime by shooting nearly 68 percent from the field and 8-of-11 from three in the opening half. Freshman Cole VonHandorf led the Falcons in the first half with 11 and Vonte Montgomery chipped in 10.
 
However, UC opened the second half on a 13-5 run prior to the first media time out of the half to trim Fairmont's lead to just four (57-53). Fairmont State responded though, going on a 15-5 run of its own over the next three minutes to stretch its lead back to double-digits (72-58).
 
With FSU still leading by double digits (88-77) with 2:54 remaining in the game, Charleston scored 12 of the next 14 points to cut Fairmont's lead to just one (90-89) with 12 seconds to play.
 
On the next FSU possession, Jolly drained a pair of free throws to put the Falcons up by three (92-89) with just 10 seconds remaining. However, Charleston's Shaq Speights completed the UC comeback by draining a three from the left corner as time expired in regulation to send the game to overtime with a 92-92 tie.
 
Charleston continued its strong play at the beginning of overtime by grabbing a five-point advantage just 51 seconds into the extra period. However, Jason Jolly scored 11 of Fairmont's 13 points in overtime to keep the Falcons within a single-possession during the remainder of overtime.
 
After Jolly tied the game at 103-103 following a pair of free throws (with 34 seconds to play in OT), Charleston's Malik Young was fouled and went 1-of-2 from the line to put the Golden Eagles back in front by one (104-103), with 15 seconds remaining.
 
On Fairmont's final possession, Jolly attempted a layup that was off the mark, but the rebound went off UC and gave the Falcons one more chance with just under six seconds to play.
 
Following a Fairmont State timeout, Emrick drove strong to the hole and buried the game-winning layup with 0.9 seconds remaining on an and-one play that sent him to the line for one free throw. His free throw rimmed off, but Charleston was unable to get another shot off before time expired - allowing the Falcons to edge UC, 105-104.
 
Jolly led seven double-figure scorers in the win with 21 points, going 9-of-10 from the free throw line. Emrick also chipped in 18 points, including the game-winner layup. The Falcons also got 15 points from R.J. Hutcherson, 14 points from VonHandorf, 12 apiece from D'Ondre Stockman and Montgomery and 11 from Kenzie Melko.
 
The Falcons finished the day shooting 59 percent from the field, and nearly 57 percent from three (13-of-23).
 
UC (1-1, 0-1 MEC) had five double-figure scorers, led a game-high 24 points from Austin Howard. Young also chipped in 21. The Golden Eagles shot 54 percent from the field, and 56 percent from three in the narrow loss.
 
FSU will now prepare for a 7:30 p.m. tip at West Virginia State on Monday evening in Institute.