FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Fairmont State pulled away from Wheeling Jesuit in the final 10 minutes of the second half to pick up an 88-64 win over the Cardinals on Wednesday night at Joe Retton Arena. 

Fairmont State led by just two (54-52) at the 10:47 mark of the second half, but the Falcons scored the game's next nine points and would ultimately rip off a 23-3 run over the next six minutes to seize control of the game. Fairmont State led by as many as 27 at the 1:22 mark of the second half before settling for the 24-point triumph.
 
Fairmont State shot over 54 percent from the field (33-of-61) and made 13 three-pointers in the victory. The Falcons also held a 35-26 advantage on the glass, and outscored Wheeling Jesuit 40-18 in the paint.
 
Fairmont State also scored 20 points off 14 WJU turnovers.
 
Vonte Montgomery had a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Falcons. Jason Jolly, Kenzie Melko-Marshall and Cole VonHandorf each had 12 points apiece for the Falcons, and Troy Cantrell tallied eight points off the bench for the second-consecutive game.
 
Jolly passed out a game-high six assists as the Falcons totaled 17 assists on 33 made baskets.

Wheeling Jesuit (2-17, 1-12 MEC) got 17 points, six rebounds and four assists from DeAndre Robinson. Jay Gentry scored 12 and Steve Cannady finished with 10 for the Cardinals.
 
WJU shot 43 percent from the floor, including nearly 46 percent from behind the arc.
 
Fairmont State will now prepare for a battle for first place in the Mountain East Conference on Saturday afternoon when the Falcons travel to West Liberty for an NCAA Division II Showcase Game. Tip is set for 4 p.m.
 
The Falcons will be looking for a season sweep over the Hilltoppers after picking up a 106-104 victory over then-No. 8 West Liberty back on Dec. 9 at Joe Retton Arena.