ELKINS, W.Va. — Davis & Elkins used a 48-point second half and 12 made three-pointers to pull away from West Virginia State in an 88–70 Mountain East Conference decision Wednesday night at the McDonnell Center.

The Senators (8–17, 5–12 MEC) carried a 40–36 lead into the break, then extended the margin behind efficient perimeter shooting in the final 20 minutes. West Virginia State (7–18, 3–14 MEC) trimmed the deficit to one early in the second half when Andrew Shull hit a three to make it 44–43 with 16:48 left, but D&E answered with a 7–0 spurt that included a Cobbs three and an Evans three to push the lead back to seven.

D&E continued to build separation with timely threes, stretching the advantage to 69–55 on a Tristan Starks triple with 8:34 remaining. The Senators finished 12-of-32 from deep and got 29 bench points, while holding WVSU to 7-of-27 from three.

Trey Harris and Jaylen Subject paced the Yellow Jackets with 21 points apiece. Harris added 10 rebounds, while Subject finished with eight boards and two assists. Blake Goodman chipped in 10 points, and Shull hit three triples as part of a nine-point night.

Vegas Evans led all scorers with 23 points for D&E and posted a 15-rebound double-double. Malachi Hampton added 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Matthew Gray finished with 13 points. The teams were even in points in the paint (36–36) and committed nine turnovers apiece, but D&E's edge from long range and on the glass (42–35) proved decisive.

This sets up an important game at WVSU on Saturday, Feb. 21 when the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats comes to the Walker Convocation Center. Tip off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.