FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The 13th-ranked Fairmont State University men's basketball team faced a familiar foe in Salem University on Dan Cava Court. Behind the hot hand of Tommy Williams, the Falcons tamed the Tigers, 93-76.

Tommy Williams led all scorers with 27 points and surpassed the 1,000-point mark in his collegiate career. The graduate guard went 9-14 from the field including seven three-pointers. Andre Harris and Taj Thweatt added 16 and 15 points, respectively, while David Jolinder and Rudy Fitzgibbons each scored 11. Jolinder also grabbed 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.

Both teams were evenly matched to open the game but Fairmont State (14-2) held the slight edge with going 4-5 from three-point range to lead 12-8 with 15:59 on the clock. For a majority of the first half, the Falcons held a couple basket advantage until Salem (4-12) evened the score at 25 with just over seven minutes remaining.

The lead changed sides or was even tied 11 times over the next four minutes until FSU scored eight-consecutive points to go back in front by five (41-36) with 1:33 to go. The Tigers scored the final basket of the half but the home side remained in front at the half, 41-39.

Salem came out of the break and recaptured a two-point lead (46-44) just two minutes into the half. Fairmont State quickly regained control of the game as it used a 16-2 run to lead 60-48 at the 15:38 minute mark. Both Andre Harris and Tommy Williams each scored six during the stretch. 

The Falcons held the double-digit lead and even expanded it to 22 (79-57) with 11-straight points as five of the points came from Taj Thweatt. The Tigers were able to trim the deficit to 15 (79-64) after scoring the next seven points.

However, the deficit was too large as Fairmont State had a response each time down the floor. By the time the final horn sounded, the Falcons claimed the 17-point victory.

From the field, FSU shot 51.4-percent (36-70) and assisted on 22 of those makes. The team also scored 40 points in the paint and capitalized the opponents turnovers into 19 more points.

Fairmont State ventures to Elkins, West Virginia on Wednesday, January 22 to face the Senators of Davis & Elkins College. Start time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.