FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The Fairmont State University men's basketball returned to the hardwood after a 10-day layoff. The Falcons hosted Carlow University for the final non-conference game of the year as the hosts won by a final score of 82-61.

Sam Emich led all scorers with 19 points as he went 4-6 from behind the arc. David Jolinder added 16 points with eight rebounds as Tommy Williams finished the afternoon with 13 points. A total of 12 different Falcons found the score sheet in the home win.

Fairmont State (11-1) opened the game with three-straight three-point makes with two of them coming from David Jolinder. Carlow (2-7) slowly chipped away at the difference and trailed by five (15-10) with 13:22 on the clock. 

The Falcons were able to extend their lead back to 11 but the Celtics did not fade away. The visitors went on an 11-2 run over the next three minutes to trail only by two (23-21). FSU responded with its own 11-2 stretch as Tommy Williams scored five of them to push the lead back to 11 (34-23) with 5:11 remaining in the half.

For the remainder of the half, the two squads went back-and-forth before Carlow hit the final three. At the break, Fairmont State held a 41-32 edge going into the locker room.

In the second half, both sides traded baskets for the opening eight minutes. At the 11:30 mark, Williams hit a three that jump started the Falcons as they opened a 64-46 lead after a three by Sam Emich. 

With the sizable lead, Fairmont State was able to cruise to the home win. By the final horn, FSU won by the 21-point margin.

The Falcons dominated the boards with 56 rebounds compared to 32 for the Celtics. 42 of its 82 total points came off the bench for FSU with 24 points on the fast break. 

Fairmont State restarts Mountain East Conference play on Wednesday, January 8 against Wheeling University. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.