WHEELING, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University men's basketball team was downed by Wheeling, 87-78, on Saturday afternoon at the Alma Grace McDonough Center. The Yellow Jackets outscored the Cardinals, 55-50, in the second half but couldn't overcome a sluggish start in the first half.

West Virginia State falls to 15-6 overall, 10-6 in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) with the defeat. Meanwhile, Wheeling jumps to 12-8 on the season, 9-7 in the MEC with the victory.

Junior forward Jeremiah Moore returned from illness to register his third consecutive double-double and record 20 or more points for the fifth straight game. He matched his career-high of 28 points while grabbing a game-high 16 rebounds. Both Michal Seals and Glen Abram scored in double-figures with 19 and 14 points, respectively.

The Yellow Jackets came out flat in the first half. They shot 32 percent from the field compared to 52 percent by the Cardinals. West Virginia State was subsequently left with a 14-point deficit, 37-23, to overcome in the second half.

After having a proverbial fire lit under them at halftime, the Yellow Jackets went on a 12-2 run in the opening five minutes of the second half. By the end of the run, WVSU trailed by only four points, 39-35.

Over the next five minutes, the Cardinals flipped the script with a 23-11 run that gave them a comfortable lead once again, 62-46.

West Virginia State valiantly battled back in the final ten minutes of the contest. Glen Abram knocked down a three-pointer around the one-minute mark to cut the deficit to five points, 81-76. However, Wheeling made their free throws at the end of the game to seal it.

The Yellow Jackets scored 19 points off turnovers compared to three points by the Cardinals.

West Virginia State will return home for their next game on Thursday, Feb. 13 versus West Virginia Wesleyan (9-13, 8-7 MEC). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.