SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The West Virginia State University men's basketball team won its fifth straight game at Notre Dame College, 94-85, on Wednesday night. The Yellow Jackets fell behind early in the contest but made up for the slow start by finishing strong in the second half.
West Virginia State improves to 11-3 overall, 6-3 in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) with the win. Meanwhile, Notre Dame College drops to 4-11 on the season and 2-7 in the MEC with the loss.

Freshman forward Anthony Pittman continued his hot streak by posting a season-high 30 points alongside seven rebounds, four blocks and a steal. Not far behind him was junior guard Glen Abram with 24 points of his own and three steals. Fellow junior Jeremiah Moore had 12 points, seven boards, three assists, two blocks, and a steal in a complete all-around performance.

The Falcons started strong by grabbing an 11-point lead, 26-15, at the 11-minute mark. WVSU then proceeded to go on a 21-10 run in the successive eight minutes and evened the score, 36-36. Both teams traded baskets in the last three minutes of the first half with NDC gaining a slight advantage, 41-40, at the break.

West Virginia State finally pulled away from Notre Dame College in the opening five minutes of the second half. Pittman completed a three-point play that ignited a 10-0 run by the Yellow Jackets. Two dunks and a three-pointer made up the rest of the stretch.  

The Falcons did not quit, however, and battled back to within two points of WVSU with 6:39 remaining in the game. Crucially, Glen Abram responded with a second chance layup followed up by a steal and ensuing fast break layup. He turned it into a three-point play by drawing a foul and making his foul shot. Michal Seals then increased the lead even further by hitting a jumper to put WVSU up by nine points, 84-75, with five minutes to go.

In the final five minutes of the contest, NDC resorted to fouling to try to get back in the game. West Virginia State prevailed by making 8-of-10 shots from the foul line during that stretch.

Notre Dame College tried to disrupt the Yellow Jackets by committing 21 personal fouls throughout the game. In comparison, West Virginia State only committed 11 fouls. In the end, the Falcons paid for their brashness as WVSU converted 19-of-25 free-throw attempts (76 percent).

The Yellow Jackets will be back at home to square up against Urbana (4-11, 3-6 MEC) on Saturday, Jan. 18. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.