FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Fairmont State held off Glenville State, 77-75, on Wednesday night at Joe Retton Arena to remain unbeaten in Mountain East Conference play.
 
The Falcons put together a strong defensive effort in the victory, holding Glenville State well below its season scoring average of 112.4.
 
With the victory, Fairmont State improves to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in MEC play. The Falcons have now won five games in a row after starting the season 0-2 at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. GSC falls to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in league play.

The Pioneers led by a point at the break, 42-41, following a three by Karl Jeanty as time expired. GSC's first half success was sparked in large part to hitting 9-of-21 attempts from behind the arc in the first 20 minutes.
 
Fairmont State held a 17-point advantage (23-6) at the 11:11 mark of the opening half before GSC closed the gap and eventually took the league at the half.
 
GSC would go cold from behind the arc in the second half, though, shooting 0-for-10.
 
Fairmont State led by as many as seven (70-63) in the second half at the 6:44 mark and continued to lead by six (74-68) at the 4:17 mark following a layup by Jason Jolly. Glenville State was able to cut Fairmont's lead to just a single point with 2:34 to play, but couldn't retake the lead down the stretch, allowing the Falcons to win their fifth in a row.
 
Fairmont State's ability to control the glass proved to be key as the Falcons had a 59-44 edge in rebounds and outscored the Pioneers 23-14 in second chance points. The Falcons also scored 42 points in the paint and scored 20 points off turnovers in the victory.

Andrew Emrick came off the bench to score 16 points to lead Fairmont State. Vonte Montgomery had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double, while Kenzie Melko also tossed in 11 points to go with eight rebounds. Christian Sweazie chipped in 11 more for the Falcons.
 
Montgomery needs just seven more points to go over 1,000 for his career.

Glenville State was led by 18 points and 10 rebounds from Davion Johnson. Darhius Nunn scored 16 points and had four assists. Jeanty came off the bench and chipped in 12 points and Phil Bledsoe had 11 points and nine rebounds. 
 
Both teams struggled from the field as Fairmont State managed just 41 percent, and Glenville State shot 40 percent. Both teams also converted on less then 50 percent of their free throw attempts in the game.
 
The Falcons will return to action on Saturday at West Virginia Wesleyan. Tip is set for 4 p.m.