INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia State (3–5, 1–2 MEC) broke through for its first Mountain East Conference victory of the season on Wednesday night, using steady scoring and a productive bench to post a 92–81 win over Wheeling (5–4, 1–2 MEC) at the Walker Convocation Center.

West Virginia State finished 35-of-69 from the field (50.7 percent), 7-of-20 from three and 15-of-27 at the line while compiling 45 rebounds, 14 assists, eight steals and three blocks. The Yellow Jackets generated 54 points in the paint, 25 fast-break points, 13 points off turnovers, 13 second-chance points and 37 points from the bench.

West Virginia State's scoring effort featured broad contributions across the rotation. Aymeric Toussaint led the way with 17 points and eight rebounds while adding four steals, and Ishmael Smith delivered a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double. Jaylen Subject provided 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks, and Norris Bourne Jr. added 12 points off the bench. Camren Wilkes supplied 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Andrew Shull chipped in 11 points with two made threes.

Wheeling shot 30-of-70 overall, 6-of-33 from deep and 15-of-24 at the stripe while totaling 38 rebounds, nine assists, nine steals and three blocks. The Cardinals added 38 paint points, 13 fast-break points, 25 points off turnovers and 39 bench points, finishing with 15 turnovers.

West Virginia State put together an explosive first half, racing to a 49–32 advantage behind relentless transition play, dominance in the paint and a deep bench that controlled the tempo. The Yellow Jackets shot 17-of-30 before the break and overwhelmed the Cardinals inside, piling up 24 paint points, 10 fast-break points and 26 bench points while forcing seven turnovers that repeatedly ignited scoring runs.

Aymeric Toussaint opened the half with a layup and a jumper and continued to fuel State's early rhythm, while Ishmael Smith became the centerpiece of the late surge — collecting offensive rebounds, converting through contact and drilling a three in the final minute to extend the lead to 47–32. Norris Bourne Jr. delivered timely scoring off the bench, knocking down back-to-back threes and adding a transition layup as State broke open what had been a tightly contested stretch. Camren Wilkes added a corner three and several key defensive plays that helped stabilize the Jackets during early ties and lead changes.

Wheeling kept pace early behind Ayden Goll and Curtis Harrison IV, but the Cardinals struggled to match State's efficiency, finishing the half 12-of-34 from the field with just 12 paint points and no fast-break scoring. Subject capped the half with a driving layup inside the final seconds, sealing the 17-point cushion.

State maintained control throughout the second half, using momentum swings, transition bursts and timely perimeter shooting to withstand multiple Wheeling runs. Toussaint opened the period with a steal-and-dunk, Harris followed with a slam, and Shull buried a three to restore a double-digit margin. Back-to-back baskets from Hassan Belkhaddar and another Shull triple pushed the lead to 65–43 as WVSU's bench continued its surge.

Wheeling answered with a 10–0 run led by Kris English and Jalen Wenger, trimming the deficit to 74–61 with eight minutes left. English continued to produce at all three levels, helping the Cardinals stay within striking distance.

State countered with another burst. Toussaint threw down a transition dunk off a feed from Bourne, Smith scored twice at the rim, and Harris delivered a highlight dunk at the 2:44 mark to restore a 14-point cushion. WVSU closed the half with 30 paint points, 15 fast-break points and a 24–11 edge on second-chance opportunities.

Though Wheeling found a late rhythm, State repeatedly answered with defensive stops — including blocks from Subject and a stand that forced three straight misses in the closing minute.

The Yellow Jackets closed the game shooting 18-of-39 in the second half with eight assists and nine offensive rebounds, sealing a wire-to-wire performance fueled by depth, pace and paint dominance.

West Virginia State plays its final MEC game of the calendar year on Saturday, Dec. 13, with a trip to West Liberty for a 7:30 p.m. contest at the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex.