WHEELING, W.Va. -- No. 16 Fairmont State was tested tonight as the Fighting Falcons used a second-half comeback to down Wheeling University, 75-68, in Mountain East Conference play on Wednesday night.

The two squads traded baskets throughout the early stages of the first half as Briggs Parris knocked in a three-pointer to tie the score at 13 with 12:50 remaining in the first half. The Cardinals used a 9-2 run to regain the 22-15 lead after a three by Jarett Haines.

Fairmont State battled back to take the 28-27 advantage after a jumper by Parris, but Wheeling headed to break with the 35-34 margin.

In the second half, Wheeling's Jay Gentry connected on a jumper inside the paint to lift the Cardinals to a five-point edge over the Falcons. Fairmont State went on a 17-0 run in seven minutes and 22 second of game play to stake to the 51-39 lead over Wheeling. WHL's Haines buried a three to stop the Falcon run.  

Wheeling got within six points after a made free throw via Brent Price, but George Mangas pushed the lead back to eight after a block on the defensive end led to a traditional three-point play on the offensive end. Isiaah Sanders closed out the contest with a signature dunk off a steal by VonHandorf as the Falcons won 75-68 over the Cardinals.

On the night, Fairmont State shot 45.8% (33-72) from the field with three three-pointers, all by Parris, and went 6-12 from the charity stripe. Sanders led the Fighting Falcons with 18 points on 8-14 shooting as Parris (17 points), VonHandorf (16 points), and Zyon Dobbs (12 points) rounded out the scorers in double-figures for Fairmont State. Seth Younkin narrowly missed a double-double as he grabbed 13 rebounds to go along with nine points on the night.

Wheeling's Jordan Reid scored a game-high 22 points and Brent Price and John Korte followed with 14 and 11 points, respectively. The Cardinals were held to 33.3% (21-63) from the floor with 10 makes from beyond the arc and 16-18 from the free-throw line. Wheeling was held to eight made baskets in the second half.

No. 16 Fairmont State Men's Basketball (20-4, 15-4 MEC) returns to Joe Retton Arena on Saturday afternoon for a 4 p.m. matchup with the #2 team in the nation West Liberty (23-2, 17-2 MEC). Before the contest, we will recognize our graduating seniors during our senior day celebration as well.