FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Fairmont State outlasted Slippery Rock in a thrilling 82-79 victory on Saturday evening in the final game of the 2018 Joe Retton Classic. The Falcons defeated The Rock after battling through seven ties and 13 lead changes, including five ties and 12 lead changes in the final 20 minutes of play.
 
Vince Franklin dropped in a layup with just 36 seconds remaining to give the Falcons the lead for good. Jason Jolly then added a pair of free throws with seven seconds remaining and Micah Till's game-tying 3-point field goal attempt at the buzzer bounced off the rim to seal the victory for the Falcons - who improved to 2-2 on the season.
 
The statistics were even in the matchup, as Fairmont State shot 50 percent from the field (27-of-54) and SRU drained 47.7 percent of its shots (31-of-65). The Rock held a 33-29 advantage on the glass, while Fairmont State held an 11-8 advantage in made 3-point field goals.
 
Fairmont State's largest advantage in the game was a 17-of-24 advantage at the free throw line, compared to just 9-of-10 by Slippery Rock as the Falcons were whistled for just 11 personal fouls.
 
Jolly led the Falcons in the victory with 27 points after going 9-of-14 from the field and 4-of-7 from behind the arc. R.J. Hutcherson also came off the bench to chip in 17 points, four rebounds and three assists. Cole VonHandorf and Vonte Montgomery also chipped in 10 points apiece and Montgomery pulled down a career-high 10 boards to record a double-double.
 
Slippery Rock had five double-figure scorers in the setback, led by Jared Armstrong with 18 points and Till with 16 points and seven rebounds.
 
The Falcons will now be idle until next Saturday when Charleston visits Joe Retton Arena for a 4 p.m. Mountain East Conference matchup.