WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – Third-ranked West Liberty did just enough late in Saturday's battle of nationally-ranked teams to hand No. 2 Fairmont State its first setback of the season, 88-81, in front of a capacity crowd at the ASRC.
The Hilltoppers shot 57 percent from the field in the second half and Dan Monteroso scored 29 of his game-high 31 points in the final 20 minutes of action to lead the 'Toppers past FSU.
Both teams are now 21-1 overall and 15-1 in Mountain East Conference games this season.
The Falcons shot below 40 percent from the field for the first time this season, making just 37 percent of their field goal attempts (27-of-73) and 34.4 percent from long range (11-of-32). The Falcons also recorded just six assists on 27 made baskets.
Jason Jolly turned in a strong performance for the Falcons, scoring a team-high 25 points on 8-of-18 from the field, draining four three-pointers.
Thomas Wimbush also chipped in 16 points and 10 rebounds. In addition,
Shammgod Wells tallied 12 points and Vonte Mongomery recorded 10 to round out four FSU players in double-figures.
Matt Bingaya struggled from the floor this afternoon, making just 3-of-12 from the field and finishing with eight points and a team-high 12 rebounds.
The Falcons held a 47-43 rebounding advantage on the afternoon.
In addition to Monteroso's second-half performance, David Dennis added 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists and Devin Hoehn tallied 14 to give the 'Toppers a trio of players in double-figures.
After a dismal shooting performance in the opening half, West Liberty finished the game shooting 44.6 percent from the field (29-of-65) and 44 percent from three (11-of-25). Eight of West Liberty's three-point field goals came in the second half of the game. WLU also scored 18 points off eight Fairmont State turnovers.
The first half of the game was unlike anyone expected from two of the top offensive teams in NCAA Division II, as Fairmont State took a 36-32 lead into the locker room after both teams shot under 35 percent from the field.
The Falcons will now return home for a 7:30 p.m. Mountain East Conference matchup with Urbana University on Thursday evening, inside Joe Retton Arena.
