FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The 12th-ranked Fairmont State University men's basketball team faced the University of Charleston in a showdown of Mountain East Conference undefeated teams. After being tied at the half, the Falcons were able to overcome the Golden Eagles for the 96-88 win. 

Early on, the matchup felt like a prize-fight as the two teams traded blows. Leading 15-14 with 12:59 on the clock, Fairmont State (7-0, 4-0) went on a 14-5 run over the next five minutes to garner a double-digit lead (29-19). David Jolinder socred six of the points as Sam Emich and Rudy Fitzgibbons both hit three-point shots. 

Charleston (5-4, 3-1) narrowed the gap to five but Fitzgibbons took over and scored seven of the next nine total points to regain a 10-point lead for the Falcons with 4:46 to go. The Golden Eagles were not done as they went on a 12-3 run to pull within a single point (39-38). FSU expanded the lead back to three on two different occasions but a late three by the visitors tied the game at 43 as both teams were headed to their respective locker rooms.

Out of the break, the two teams continued their back-and-forth affair until UC went on an 8-2 run to hold a 54-50 edge with 15:36 to go. The Falcons quickly responded with a 10-3 run including a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe to jump in front, 60-57. Back-to-back lay-ins by the visitors gave themselves the lead back but a three by Jolinder helped push FSU back in front. 

The Golden Eagles once again narrowed the margin to one (68-67) but similar to most of the game, Fairmont State responded including a three by Emich. Leading 75-69, the Falcons quickly moved the ball up court as Fitzgibbons left the ball for Taj Thweatt as he stepped into a three and found nothing but the bottom of the net. A minute later, Thweatt found Andre Harris who slammed one home before Thweatt nailed another three to put the Falcons up 11 (83-72) with 3:34 left in regulation.

Despite momentum in favor of the home team, Charleston was able to cut the difference to seven with 1:33 remaining but the Falcons were strong at the free throw line. Over the final 90 seconds of action, FSU made eight of its 10 free throw attempts to secure the eight-point victory. 

David Jolinder led the Falcons with 20 points on the evening and grabbed eight rebounds. Rudy Fitzgibbons finished with 17 points with another 16 coming from Taj Thweatt. Off the bench, Sam Emich scored 12 points, going 4-6 from behind the arc. Defensively, the team forced 17 turnovers and coverted those into 26 points.

Fairmont State remains at home as Glenville State University comes to campus on Wednesday, December 11. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.