INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- The Fairmont State University men's basketball team made the southern trek to face West Virginia State University in a Mountain East Conference showdown. Aided by a double-double from David Jolinder, the Falcons were able to outlast the Yellow Jackets, 92-89.

David Jolinder recorded his second double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Rudy Fitzgibbons led all scorers with 25 points as Andre Harris and Tommy Williams added 13 and 10 points, respectively.

West Virginia State (3-3, 1-2) scored the opening basket but a three by Rudy Fitzgibbons quickly gave the lead to Fairmont State (6-0, 3-0). The Yellow Jackets tied the game on a free throw but a Fitzgibbons layup followed by a three from Sam Emich gave FSU an 8-3 advantage.

The Falcons held the couple-basket lead until midway through the first half when the team went on a 9-0 run. Over the two-plus minute span, four different Falcons helped the team open an 11-point lead (26-15) with 8:35 on the clock. 

WVSU slowly narrowed the gap and even pulled within a single point on multiple occasions, including 36-35 with 1:41 left in the half. However, Fairmont State scored six-straight points before the Yellow Jackets laid one in right before the horn. At the half, the Falcons were in front 42-37 going to the locker room.

Coming out of the locker room, Fairmont State scored the first six points of the second half including five off the hand of Fitzgibbons. The Falcons were able to maintain the double-digit advantage over the next five minutes before the hosts used a a 7-2 stretch to make the score 64-58 with 11:04 remaining.

The difference stayed around six points until FSU outscored WVSU, 12-4 over a three-minute span to lead 84-71 as the clock read 3:05. The Yellow Jackets were not done as they notched the next eight points to make an 87-82 game with just 29 seconds left in regulation. 

West Virginia State hit a late three to make it a two-point game (91-89) but down the stretch, Fairmont State was able to convert on a couple of free throw trips to secure the three-point road win. 

The Falcons scored 46 of their points in the paint while 32 of the total points came off turnovers. The Yellow Jackets were only held to five made three-point shots all night while FSU dropped in 10 of them.

Fairmont State returns home to face the University of Charleston on Saturday, December 7. Fans make sure to wear white as it is a "White Out" game with a rally towel giveaway. Start time is slated for 4:00 p.m.