WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. -- The Fairmont State University men's basketball team were seeded fifth in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional as it faced Fayetteville State in the first round. The Falcons overcame a 17-point deficit in the second half to force overtime where they ultimately fell to the Broncos, 74-67.

Rudy Fitzgibbons led the Falcons with with 29 points as he went 9-18 from the field and 9-14 from distance. David Jolinder added 12 points with five rebounds.

Fairmont State started the game with the first five points from Andre Harris and Rudy Fitzgibbons. Fayetteville State started to take over the game with 11 of the next 13 points. With 10:57 left in the first half, the Broncos led 11-7.

The two sides went back-and-forth over the next several minutes until Fayetteville went on an 11-0 run to lead by 15 (29-14). In the closing moments of the first half, the Falcons tried to narrow the margin but trailed 33-20 at the half.

In the second half, the two sides were evenly matched for the first six minutes as Fayetteville State led by 17 (45-28) with 14:18 on the clock. Fairmont State began to find its rhythm on offense as it went on a 17-2 run and only trailed 47-45 with 5:50 left in regulation.

Both teams started to hit shots until Harris laid one in before Fitzgibbons completed a four-point play to give the Falcons a 56-54 edge with 1:55 to go. Neither team was able to get anything going until the Broncos stole the ball and and scored on the fastbreak to even the score at 56. In the closing seconds, Fairmont had two chances at the rim but were unable to convert as the game went into overtime.

Start of the overtime saw both teams match each other down the floor. Midway through the period, the Falcons led 65-63 but like most of the game, Fayetteville State had a response. The Broncos closed the game on an 11-2 run to claim the seven-point victory.

Fairmont State finishes the season MEC Tournament Champions with a record of 27-5 as it went 17-3 in conference play.