INSTITUTE, W.Va. — Despite a strong second-half push, West Virginia State's men's basketball team (3-9, 2-6 MEC) was unable to erase Point Park's (4-9, 1-5 MEC) 17 three-pointers in a 93–87 conference loss Saturday at the Walker Convocation Center.
WVSU has now dropped four straight since the Christmas break.
Point Park set the tone early, shooting 9-of-16 from three-point range in the opening half and building a six-point advantage at the break. The Pioneers scored 52 first-half points and repeatedly stretched the floor to counter West Virginia State's interior scoring, taking a 52–46 lead into halftime.
West Virginia State responded after the break by leaning heavily on its presence in the paint, trimming the deficit and briefly taking the lead midway through the second half. The Yellow Jackets tied the game at 72–72 with 8:52 remaining and again surged ahead moments later behind transition baskets and second-chance opportunities.
Point Park answered with a decisive perimeter run, converting four three-pointers over a five-minute stretch to regain control. The Pioneers went 8-of-19 from deep in the second half and closed out the game at the free-throw line to preserve the road win.
Aymeric Toussaint led West Virginia State with a game-high 30 points, finishing 11-of-16 from the field and 8-of-10 at the line while adding four rebounds.
Trey Harris followed with 27 points, seven rebounds and four steals, while
Norris Bourne Jr. chipped in 14 points off the bench.
Point Park was paced by Grant Welch with 24 points on six three-pointers, while Aidan Anderson added 23 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Kaden Warner finished with 19 points and five assists, and Jaylen Stewart contributed 12 points and seven assists as the Pioneers recorded 21 assists on 31 made field goals.
West Virginia State shot 32-of-65 from the field and scored 52 points in the paint but was unable to overcome Point Park's perimeter efficiency. The Yellow Jackets forced 13 turnovers and committed just six of their own, yet the Pioneers' three-point shooting proved to be the difference.
WVSU will look to rebound when Davis & Elkins visits the Walker Convocation Center on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
