PHILIPPI, W.Va. -- The West Virginia State University men's basketball team grinded out a victory at Alderson Broaddus on Saturday night, 76-72. Sophomore forward Anthony Pittman's late-game heroics ultimately pushed the Yellow Jackets over the line.

West Virginia State excels to 3-1 in the Mountain East Conference with the win, while Alderson Broaddus regresses to 1-3 in the MEC with the loss.

Anthony Pittman was a man on a mission with a game-leading 24 points and a career-high 20 rebounds. His 20 boards tied a modern-era school record for most rebounds in a game set by Tony Cornett in 2004. This was Pittman's third double-double of the season. Senior forward Jeremiah Moore also recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards. Guards Glen Abram and Augustus Stone once again scored in double-digits with 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Stone came out on fire in the opening five minutes of the contest. He dropped in 10 points, including two three-pointers, to help West Virginia State to an early nine-point advantage, 16-7.

In the proceeding seven minutes of action, Alderson Broaddus fought back to bring the game back within reach. The Yellow Jackets were still in the lead, albeit by a slimmer three-point margin, with eight minutes remaining in the first half, 27-24.

The momentum shifted to the Battlers over the next four minutes. They suddenly found themselves with their own three-point advantage, 34-31, at the end of the stretch. 

By halftime, WVSU trailed by six points, 39-33. Pittman scored nine points and grabbed nine rebounds in the first half to keep the game from completely slipping away.

The second half was a true battle of wills. Alderson Broaddus kept making shots and West Virginia State kept finding answers to each basket. With five minutes left in the game, there was only one possession separating the two sides. AB was clinging for dear life to a three-point lead, 66-63.

Abram then reset the score at 66-all with a shot from downtown that floated through the netting. That was his last contribution for WVSU as he fouled out shortly thereafter. The Battlers were consequently sent to the charity stripe, making 1-of-2 free throws.

Moore pulled up for a trey to finally regain the lead for the Yellow Jackets, 69-67. Alderson Broaddus then pulled back in front after being sent to the foul line twice, making 3-of-4 free throws, 70-69.

After missing a jumper, Pittman hustled down to the other end of the court to grab a defensive board. He then ran the length of the court again for a layup, 71-70. On the very next possession, he repeated the feat of nabbing a defensive rebound and putting back a layup at the opposite end. This time, he was fouled and added a free throw for a three-point play, 74-70. 

In the final minute, each team was sent to the foul line for two shots. The four final free throws were converted to give the Yellow Jackets a four-point margin of victory.

There wasn't much to separate the two squads on the final box score as expected. WVSU was able to pick up more points in the paint with 38 points from down low compared to 24 by AB.

The Yellow Jackets remain on the road for their next contest at West Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday, Jan. 20. The tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.