WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. -- The ninth-ranked Fairmont State University men's basketball team geared up a Top-10 matchup with the seventh-ranked West Liberty Hilltoppers. The Falcons were unable to overcome a first half deficit as they fell on the road, 103-87.

Taj Thweatt led the Falcons with 20 points as David Jolinder and Rudy Fitzgibbons each scored 17 points. Andre Harris ended the evening with 13 points and nine rebounds.

Fairmont State (12-2, 7-1) opened things as Andre Harris found David Jolinder down low for the slam. The two sides traded layups before West Liberty (12-2, 6-1) started to take control as it went on a 22-4 run over five minutes to lead 24-8 with 13:20 on the clock. The Hilltoppers started the game going 8-8 from the field and 4-4 from beyond the arc.

The Falcons chipped away at the deficit and used a 16-6 run over 4:15 of game time to make it just a six-point game (30-24) with 9:05 left in the half. West Liberty started to stretch the lead back out and held a 43-30 lead just a few minutes later.

Already in the bonus, Fairmont State made crucial free throws along with a three from Rudy Fitzgibbons to narrow the deficit to just eight (45-37). Defensively, the two sides settled in as only seven total points were scored. Unfortunately, six of them favored the hosts. Going into the locker room, West Liberty held a 51-38 advantage.

In the second half, the two teams matched one another for the beginning of the half as the Hilltoppers slowly advanced the lead to 16 (65-49). The Falcons scored the next seven points with five off the hand of Tyheil Peterson.

West Liberty came right back with the game's next five points to reopen a 70-56 lead with 12:43 left in regulation. Lay-ins by Rudy Fitzgibbons and Taj Thweatt paused the run but only momentarily as the hosts notched the next seven points to lead 77-60.

Every chance Fairmont State tried to cut into the difference, the Hilltoppers seemed to have an answer. Down 16 (86-70), Thweatt hit a three from the top of the key before Andre Harris found Tyheil Peterson for a fastbreak layup to trim the lead to 86-75 with 7:03 on the clock.

For a remainder of regulation, the two sides kept going back-and-forth as the Falcons were unable to overcome the deficit. As the final horn sounded, the Falcons fell by the final score of 103-87.

Fairmont State ventures north on Wednesday, January 15 to battle Point Park University. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.