WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. -- West Liberty held off Fairmont State, 105-99, on Wednesday night at the ASRC.
With the win, WLU improved to 12-3 overall and 7-2 in the MEC. Fairmont State slipped to 10-4 overall and 5-4 in the league.
With the game tied at 22-22, West Liberty went on a 17-7 run to help move in front. However, Fairmont State closed the half on a 13-5 run of its own to make it just a three-point game at the break, 50-47.
The Falcons pulled to within four with just under 15 minutes to play, but the 'Toppers responded with a 12-4 run over the next three minutes to lead by 10, 69-59. WLU continued to stay in control until a late final push by Fairmont State.
Kenzie Melko-Marshall hit a three to get the Falcons to within four, 97-93, with 1:31 to go, and got a WLU miss on the other end, but turned the ball over on its next possession after an offensive foul. From that point, West Liberty was able to make its free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the game with West Liberty making 36-of-70 (51.4%) and Fairmont State connecting on 35-of-68 (51.5). WLU had a slight edge in threes, though, with the 'Toppers making 12 compared to FSU's eight.
West Liberty forced 15 Fairmont State turnovers in the victory and turned them into 30 points on the offensive end. The Hilltoppers also got big performances from their role players with 53 bench points.
Melko had a game-high 30 points and had seven rebounds and six assists to lead the Falcons.
Isaiah Sanders also chipped in 26 points and seven rebounds. Melko and Sanders each matched their career highs in the game.
Dale Bonner also added 18 points, and
Cole VonHandorf had 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
West Liberty's Pat Robinson was 10-of-13 from the field for a team-best 23 points. He scored 17 of his 23 points in the opening half. Preston Boswell hit four three-pointers and finished with 20 points, while Malik McKinney chipped in 17 points. West Liberty's leading scorer, Dalton Bolon, finished the game with just nine points, but pulled down eight rebounds and passed out four assists for the 'Toppers.
The Falcons will look to get back in the win column on Saturday afternoon against Wheeling University. Tip is set for 4 p.m. at Dan Cava Court inside Joe Retton Arena.
