WHEELING, W.Va. – The Fairmont State University men's basketball team faced Concord University in the Mountain East Conference Tournament Semifinals. After a slow start, the Falcons found their rhythm and bested the Mountain Lions, 91-74. 

With a couple of threes, Concord jumped out to an early 6-2 lead. Fairmont State tried to cut into the deficit including a three from Joey Brown. However, the Mountain Lions maintained the advantage at the first media timeout, 12-6.

Out of the timeout, the Falcons started to find their offensive scoring as the team went on a 14-2 run to take a 20-14 lead. CJ Meredith led the charge by scoring nine of the 14 points. The two teams started to go back-and-forth as Fairmont State slowly stretched its lead to 10 (27-17) with 5:40 remaining in the half.

The Falcons continued their strong performance as they kept growing their lead. Behind the arc, the team made three baskets off the hands of Brown, Drey Carter and Miguel Martinez. At the half, Fairmont State led Concord, 40-27.

Concord came out of the half by making a couple of three-point shots. Fairmont State was able to fight off the charge by the Mountain Lions with Rene Diop and Martinez combining for nine points. At the 12:29-mark of the second half, the Falcons led 56-44.

The two sides kept their pace of matching each other. Each time either team went on a small run, the other side responded. By the under-five media timeout, Fairmont State held on to its 12-point lead, 72-60.

Down the stretch of the final minutes, the Falcons held strong and made their free throws to secure the 91-74 victory.

Drey Carter and CJ Meredith led the team with 18 points each. Miguel Martinez (14), Joey Brown (13) and Zycheus Dobbs (11) each finished with double digit points.

Fairmont State advances to the MEC Championship to face West Liberty University on Sunday, March 8. Game time from WesBanco Arena is set for 4:00 p.m.