WHEELING, W.Va. – The Fairmont State University men's basketball team opened play in the Mountain East Conference Tournament against the fourth-seeded Yellow Jackets of West Virginia State University. Despite early lead, the Falcons fell to the Yellow Jackets, 85-80.

In the first five-plus minutes of the game, both teams struggled to find its shooting. David Jolinder scored the opening basket. West Virginia State answered with four-straight before Cameron Whiteside made a floater in the lane.

The two sides exchanges baskets until Zyon Dobbs nailed a two from the right wing to give Fairmont State a 9-8 lead with 13:24 on the clock. Over a minute later, Tyheil Peterson stole the ball and drove the lane, laying it in and completing a three-point play.

At this point, the three-ball started to fall as Dobbs nailed back-to-back three-point shots. The Yellow Jackets made a layup before the under-10 media timeout as the Falcons led 17-15.

Out of the break, West Virginia State made two-straight jumpers before Dobbs nailed a free throw line jump shot. The next Fairmont State possession, Whiteside found a cutting Tommy Williams who completed a three-point play of his own to put the team up 22-19.

The Falcons started to pick up the pace as Whiteside converted consecutive field goals. Both teams exchanged points until Dobbs made two layups before Seth Younkin dropped in two free throws. With 1:50 left in the half and the shot clock winding down, Dobbs hit step back two to push the team ahead by 10 (36-26).

Over the final 70 seconds, Fairmont State made two free throws compared to just one for the Yellow Jackets. As the halftime horn sounded, the Falcons led 38-27.

Coming out of the locker room, the Falcons started with the ball and quickly, Whiteside drew a foul and made both free throws. The Yellow Jackets answered with a layup but after a Whiteside free throw, Tommy Williams nailed a three forcing a West Virginia State timeout. The clock read 17:58 as FSU led 44-29.

West Virginia State hit a three, but Jolinder responded with one of his own before Whiteside battled under the hoop for the layup. The Yellow Jackets went on a 11-1 run as the Falcons went scoreless over three-and-a-half minutes as FSU only led by seven (50-43) with 11:51 on the clock.

The run continued for West Virginia State as it eventually took the lead 54-52. Whiteside nailed a three at the top of the arch to end a 6:21 field goal drought for Fairmont State. The Yellow Jackets had an answer and led 57-55 with just under nine minutes left in regulation.

After a media timeout, West Virginia State hit a free throw, but Dobbs completed an and-one opportunity to even the score at 58. However, the Yellow Jackets completed one of their own. After a bit of back-and-forth, Peterson made two free throws to hand the Falcons a 65-64 advantage.

Whiteside and Peterson started to take over as they combined for four the teams next six points to lead 71-68 with 4:47 to go in regulation. Following a Dobbs free throw, West Virginia State went on a 9-1 to jump back in front, 77-73 with 2:18 to go.

The Yellow Jackets hit a three before Fairmont State scored five-straight to narrow the difference to two (80-78) with just 22 seconds to go. Unfortunately, time was not in favor of the Falcons as the Yellow Jackets made free throws down the stretch for the five-point win.

Dobbs led the team with 28 points while Whiteside added 21 with 15 coming in the second half. West Virginia State finished with 31 points off the bench compared to 12 for the Falcons.

Fairmont State sits at 21-8 and will look to a potential bid into the NCAA Regional. Selection show is set for Sunday, March 10 at 11:00 p.m.