FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Concord University men's basketball battled and battled nationally-ranked Fairmont State Wednesday night in Mountain East Conference action at Joe Retton Arena, but ultimately fell 90-78.
In a matchup of two of the MEC's best, the largest lead during the first half was eight with the game featuring six lead changes during the first 20 minutes.
Early on the Mountain Lions (8-4, 3-3 MEC) relied on strong post play and outside shooting from senior forward
Terry Hopewell and junior guard
Aaron Miller as the duo combined for 23 of Concord's 45 points in the first half.
The Maroon and Gray took an early 13-8 advantage before FSU (11-1, 4-1 MEC) answered with a 14-5 run to open up a 22-18 lead with 10:09 left in the first half.
The Fighting Falcons eventually took a 35-27 lead before senior guard
Rob Reed scored five of the next eight points for Concord, and CU tied the game at 35-35.
Fairmont State led 49-45 at halftime.
FSU opened up another eight-point lead, 66-58, with 12:45 remaining in the game. However, the Mountain Lions stormed back to cut the lead to 68-66 as four different players scored buckets.
It was the closest Concord would get for the remainder of the game as Fairmont State quickly opened up a two-possession or more advantage.
The Fighting Falcons connected from the foul shots down the stretch to erase any hope Concord had of an upset bid on the road.
Hopewell and Reed each scored a team-high 18 points with Hopewell also adding 12 rebounds.
Also finishing in double figures was Miller (17) and senior forward
Jametrius Wade (13). As a part of his 13 points, Wade connected on a career-high three three-pointers.
Concord was able to knock down 85 percent of its free throws (17-for-20).
The Mountain Lions held an edge on the glass (40-36) while FSU had an advantage on points off turnovers (33-11) and steals (16-7).
Concord continues its four-game road swing 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Notre Dame.
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