INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia State snapped a four-game skid Wednesday night and continued its long-standing home dominance over Davis & Elkins, edging the Senators 80–77 in a Mountain East Conference contest inside the Walker Convocation Center.

The win marked the Yellow Jackets' 16th consecutive home victory against Davis & Elkins, extending a streak that dates back to a 68–67 setback on Jan. 27, 2001.

Playing with a limited bench and using just six players, West Virginia State led 41–37 at the break after a physical opening half that featured seven ties and five lead changes. The Yellow Jackets leaned on interior scoring and transition opportunities early, answering repeated Davis & Elkins pushes while holding the Senators to just one three-pointer in the opening 20 minutes.

The second half unfolded into a back-and-forth battle that saw neither team able to pull away. Davis & Elkins briefly tied the game at 49–49 on a Noah Adamczyk three midway through the half, but West Virginia State responded with timely buckets and free throws to regain control. A Trey Harris three at the 10:57 mark pushed the Yellow Jackets back in front, and State continued to answer every late Senator surge down the stretch.

Davis & Elkins tied the game at 75–75 with 1:48 remaining, but West Virginia State closed the final minute at the foul line, converting key free throws to seal the win.

Hassan Belkhaddar led the Yellow Jackets with 21 points and 10 rebounds, posting a double-double while anchoring the paint. Harris added 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks, while Norris Bourne Jr. chipped in 16 points and three steals. Jaylen Subject finished with 13 points, and Camren Wilkes contributed nine points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

West Virginia State shot 25-of-66 from the field and went 25-of-29 at the free-throw line, outscoring the Senators 40–34 in the paint and forcing 14 turnovers while committing just seven of its own.

Matthew Gray paced Davis & Elkins with a game-high 30 points, adding seven rebounds. Nnadozie Okoroji finished with 16 points, and Adamczyk added 10 points and four assists for the Senators, who shot 27-of-60 from the floor and 7-of-27 from three.

West Virginia State improves to 5–9 overall and 2–5 in MEC play, while Davis & Elkins falls to 6–9 overall and 3–5 in conference action.

Up Next: West Virginia State travels to face the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 4 p.m.