WHEELING, W.Va. -- The 11th-ranked and second-seeded Fairmont State University men's basketball team squared off against the sixth-seeded Glenville State Pioneers with a trip to the MEC Championship game on the line. The Falcons were able to force a scoreless drought midway through the second half to pick up the 75-62 victory.

"Really good win, we get to move on to Sunday and that's a great thing," head coach Tim Koenig said after the game. "The guys really buckled down defensively, got loose balls and rebounded the ball."

Rudy Fitzgibbons led the way for the Falcons, scoring 17 points as he made nine of his 10 free throw attempts. Tommy Williams and David Jolinder both finished with 15 points and nine rebounds.

Glenville State (17-13) scored the first points before Fairmont State (26-4) scored the next seven points. Five of them came from Sam Emich including a three. The Pioneers responded with consecutive field goals but a three by Tommy Williams kept the Falcons in front, 10-6, with 15:15 left in the first half.

At this point, GSU went on a 7-0 run to capture a 13-10 edge. Fairmont State answered with a run of its own, 8-0, to regain the lead (18-13) with 8:54 on the clock. The Pioneers battled back and evened the score at 18 as the two sides started to trade baskets.

The Falcons then rattled off eight-straight points as Tyheil Peterson was responsible for six of them. Over the final couple of minutes, the two sides were evenly matched as Fairmont State maintained the lead, 30-24, at the half.

Out of the locker room, Emich hit a quick three but Glenville State started to take over. The Pioneers went on a 13-3 run over the next three-plus minutes to hold its first lead since midway through the first half. David Jolinder gave the lead right back to FSU with a three as the two sides began to go basket for basket.

The seesaw affair continued but the Falcons kept the advantage, 49-47 with 9:59 left in regulation. Neither team found the bottom of the basket until Jolinder stole the ball and drew a foul on the drive. After he made both free throws, Andre Harris stole the ball back and found Williams for a three to lead 54-47 with just over eight minutes to go.

Fairmont State continued its strong run as it opened a 13-point lead (60-47). The Pioneers hit a free throw at the 5:39-mark, ending a 4:30 stretch without a point. The Falcons kept the offensive and defensive pressure going as they led 66-50 with just over three minutes to go.

Glenville State tried to narrow the gap but were unable to do so.  In the final two minutes, the Falcons were 9-10 from the free throw line to secure the 13-point victory and a spot in the MEC Championship game.

The Falcons were nearly perfect from the free throw line on the night as they made 23 of its 25 attempts. The team also shot 42-percent from the field (21-50) and made a third of its three-point attempts (10-30).

"They played really well but it was a matter of time that our pressure weighed on them," Tommy Williams mentioned. "It finally did and we were able to capitalize off of it and finally hit some shots."

"We have an older team with a lot of experience," David Jolinder added. "That definitely helps. So that and being through a lot of close games throughout the year definitely helps us come together and trust each other."

Fairmont State will now face top-seeded West Liberty University on Sunday, March 9 for the MEC Tournament title. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.