Box Score     The WVSU men's basketball team began Tuesday night's contest against #5 Fairmont State with just eight players.

    The Yellow Jackets finished the game behind on the scoreboard but with the hard earned respect of everyone in the gym.

    The Falcons (13-1 overall, 7-1 MEC) won 98-90 as WVSU finished the game with six players still available after Frank Webb and Awwal Reid fouled out. Tyler Thompson, Kenny Strong, and Markee Mazyck finished the game with four fouls apiece.

     In spite of of the lack of available bodies for varying reasons the Yellow Jackets never let their nationally ranked visitor take control. The Falcons largest lead of the night was 15 late in the first half but the Jackets had cut that to eight by the break.

      Fairmont State pressed from the opening tip and ran at every opportunity but the WVSU players managed to stay right with the Falcons for the entire 40 minutes. The Jackets even cut the lead to four after Webb converted a three-point play and had the ball with 13:57 to play.

      But after rebounding a Jacket miss the Falcons reeled off six straight points.

      WVSU (4-9, 2-6) made one more late charge riding an 11-point run to pull to within three at 85-82 with just 2:49 to play after a Mazyck layup.

      But, with time running out, the Jackets were forced to foul and the visitors hit their free throws down the stretch to hold on for the victory.

      Mazyck finished with 23 points, Webb added 20 along with five rebounds and five assists. Terrance Jenkins contrbuted 12 points and a team high nine rebounds and Strong wound up with 11 points. Point guard Thompson turned in a strong performance with eight points, six assists, and five rebounds while turning the ball over just once in 34 minutes of action.