CHARLESTON, W.Va. – No. 1-ranked Fairmont State went cold in the closing minutes of Sunday's Mountain East Conference Tournament Championship Game to allow No. 11 West Liberty to rally past the Falcons, 67-65, in the Charleston Civic Center.
With the win, WLU improves to 28-3 on the season. FSU suffered just its second loss of the season, both to the Hilltoppers, and slips to 29-2 on the year. Both team's will find out the location and seeding of the 2017 NCAA Atlantic Regional tonight at 10:30 p.m., live on NCAA.com.
Fairmont State opened up a 35-29 halftime advantage and pushed its lead to as many as 12 early in the second half, 43-31, following a jumper by
Thomas Wimbush.
Fairmont State held an eight-point advantage (64-56) at the 5:14 mark following a three by
D'Ondre Stockman, but from that point FSU was outscored 11-1 down the stretch to allow West Liberty to close out the win, giving the 'Toppers their first MEC Tournament Championship. Fairmont State was 0-6 from the field during the stretch and also made just 1-of-6 free throw attempts.
Matt Bingaya led four players in double figures with 18 points and seven rebounds. The Falcons also got 17 points from Wimbush, 11 from Stockman and 10 from Vonte Mongomery.
Bingaya, Montgomery and Wimbush were each named to the Mountain East Conference All-Tournament Team. Wimbush was also the recipient of the Commissioner's Heart & Hustle Award.
Fairmont State managed just 35.9 percent from the field (23-of-64) and 33.3 percent from behind the arc (10-of-30). The Falcons also knocked down just 9-of-16 free throw attempts in the loss.
West Liberty shot 52 percent from the field in the second half after managing a dismal 36.4 percent in the opening 20 minutes of the game. The Hilltoppers also struggled from three, making just 3-of-14 attempts (21.4%).
David Dennnis led three Hilltoppers in double-figures with 23 points to go along with nine rebounds. Devin Hoehn, the tournament's Most-Valuable Player, chipped in 18 and Dan Monteroso added 10 for the 'Toppers.
