INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia State used its most efficient offensive performance of the season to outlast Salem, 112–109, Saturday afternoon inside the Walker Convocation Center.
The Yellow Jackets (7–17, 3–13 MEC) shot a season-best 54.3 percent from the field (38-of-70) and posted their top free-throw percentage of the year, finishing 21-of-23 (91.3%) at the line. WVSU also connected on a season-high 15 three-pointers and assisted on 22 of its 38 made field goals while committing just 10 turnovers.
State built an early 8–2 lead before Salem answered with a 10–2 stretch midway through the first half. The teams traded the advantage nine times in the opening 20 minutes, with neither side leading by more than six. A late three from
Gale Lamb with 23 seconds left sent WVSU into the break ahead 55–51.
In the second half, WVSU pushed the margin to as many as 15 points, taking a 79–64 lead at the 12:19 mark after a Belkhaddar layup capped a transition sequence. Salem responded with a sustained run, trimming the deficit to four on multiple occasions inside the final five minutes. The Tigers got as close as 98–94 with 3:10 to play and later 103–100 in the final minute.
From there, the Yellow Jackets closed the game at the free-throw line.
Andrew Shull went a perfect 8-for-8 at the stripe, including six makes in the final 2:20, and WVSU converted nine of its final 10 free throws to maintain separation.
Jaylen Subject led all scorers with 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including four three-pointers.
Trey Harris added 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals before fouling out, while
Hassan Belkhaddar recorded 23 points and eight assists. Shull finished with 16 points, and Lamb added nine off the bench as WVSU again operated with a short rotation.
Salem (7–16) was led by Zahki Fallen's 28 points, with Xavier Price posting 24 points and 16 rebounds. Eman Lawal added 23 points and Jamari Gamble contributed 17 points and 10 boards.
Having won two straight, the Yellow Jackets will look to complete the season sweep of the Davis & Elkins Senators on Wednesday in Elkins. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
