FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The 10th-ranked Fairmont State University men's basketball team battled Frostburg State University inside Joe Retton Arena. Despite trailing at half, the Falcons battled back to earn a 75-71 win over the Bobcats.

Taj Thweatt recorded another double-double with 18 points and 17 rebounds. His 17 boards were the most by a Falcon since Seth Younkin against these Bobcats nearly three years to the date on January 22, 2022. Sam Emich scored 12 points coming off the bench while David Jolinder added 11.

Frostburg State (9-9, 6-5) came out of the gate on fire and scored the game's first eight points. Rudy Fitzgibbons put Fairmont State (16-2, 10-1) on the board with a three before David Jolinder converted two layups. The Falcons eventually found themselves in the lead (14-12) after Sam Emich buried a three of a Tommy Williams pass. Unfortunately, the time in front was short-lived as the Bobcats put together a 13-point streak to lead 25-14 with 9:18 remaining in the first half.

The home squad kept trying to shorten the distance between them and the visitors but were only able to make it a nine-point game. However, in the final 30 seconds of the game, Fairmont State scored five points in quick succession to only trail by four (32-28) going to the locker room.

In the opening seconds of the second half, Taj Thweatt completed a three-point play to cut the deficit to a single point but Frostburg State was able to stay in front for the first six minutes. The Falcons then used an 8-3 stretch to capture their first lead since the 12:14-mark of the first half. The two teams then jockeyed the lead over the next five minutes as the game was tied at 57 with 6:25 left in regulation.

Fairmont State started to get some offensive rhythm and scored 10 of the next 12 points to lead by eight (67-59). The Bobcats slowly diminished the advantage and after two free throws only trailed 69-67 with just 32 seconds left on the clock. However, the Falcons were a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line in the closing moments to secure the four-point triumph.

Fairmont State remains at home for its next contest as Concord University comes to campus on Wednesday, January 29. Start time is set for 7:30 p.m.