FAIRMONT, W.Va. - The Fairmont State University men's basketball team welcomed Wheeling University for the second meeting of the season. The Falcons took early control of the game and won with ease over the Cardinals, 89-66.

Wheeling (7-15, 4-12) nailed the opening three but Cameron Whiteside answered with one of his own. The lead was exchanged between the two sides until a Tommy Williams three followed by a Zyon Dobbs fastbreak layup to give Fairmont State (17-6, 10-6) a 20-13 lead. The Cardinals netted the next four before the Falcons scored seven-straight with threes from David Jolinder and Whiteside.

The margin stayed around the 10-point mark until Fairmont State opened it up to 16 (43-27) with 2:15 left in the first half. However, Wheeling went on a 9-0 run to close out the half as both teams went to locker room with the score at 43-36.

Opening the second half, the two teams traded makes until a 6-0 run by the Falcons with four points from Dobbs to go in front by 14 (52-38). The hosts maintained the double-digit lead and eventually expanded the difference to 22 (67-45) with 12:40 on the clock. 

For the next six minutes, Fairmont State was in full control of the game as Seth Younkin and Tyheil Peterson got in on the scoring. A Jolinder layup off the Dobbs steal gave FSU an 80-55 lead. The Falcons did not let up as they went on for the 23-point victory.

Jolinder led all scorers with 26 points with 20 from Dobbs. Whiteside added 12 points while Younkin narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and 11 boards. The Falcons scored 24 points off turnovers and 17 second chance points.

Fairmont State travels to West Liberty University on Saturday, February 17. The game against the Hilltoppers is set to begin at 4:00 p.m.