BUCKHANNON, W.Va. - The Fairmont State University men's basketball team traveled to West Virginia Wesleyan College to face the Bobcats. The Falcons' strong first half led to an 81-73 win over the Bobcats.

West Virginia Wesleyan (2-25, 1-18) nailed a three to kickoff the game as David Jolinder slammed one home to put Fairmont State (20-7, 12-7) on the board. The Bobcats hit another three followed by a layup to lead 8-2 just under four minutes into the half.

Trailing by five, Jolinder laid one in off a Jaidyn West pass before West hit a three to even the score at 11 with 12:53 on the clock. Wesleyan went on a 10-3 run to regain the edge, 21-14 but the Falcons did not let that last long. The visitors responded with 11-straight points as Cameron Whiteside scored eight of them to go in front, 25-21.

The Bobcats attempted to even the game but FSU did not relinquish the lead. Over the final five-plus minutes, the Falcons outscored the home team, 11-6, leading 42-33 as both teams headed for their respective locker rooms. 

In the second half, the two teams matched the other until Wesleyan scored seven-consecutive points to cut the margin to six (52-46). The seesaw affair continued over the next seven minutes as the Falcons scored 16 compared to 15 for the Bobcats. 

Under five minutes to go, Fairmont State was nearly perfect from the free throw line for the remainder of the game. The team made 11 of its 13 attempts while Wesleyan was unable to get any closer than six points. Tyheil Peterson scored seven of the 13 points for the Falcons as they won by the eight-point margin. 

Jolinder led all scorers with 25 points, going 10-16 from the field. Whiteside totaled 19 points as Seth Younkin grabbed 11 of the teams 35 rebounds.

Fairmont State returns to Joe Retton Arena on Saturday, March 2 to battle Frostburg State University on Senior/Alumni Day. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.