Concord Uses Late Drama to Slip Past Fairmont State, 69-68

ATHENS, W.Va. – Two three-pointers by sophomore guard Kollin Tolbert in the final 32 seconds of the game propelled the Concord University men's basketball team to a 69-68 win over Fairmont State Wednesday night at the Carter Center in Mountain East Conference action.

Down 67-63 with less than a minute remaining in the game, CU (12-4, 8-4 MEC) got a defensive stop but was unable to take advantage after a turnover. Needing to foul, Fairmont State (14-5, 7-5 MEC) missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 42 seconds left. On the ensuing outlet pass, Tolbert pulled up from the left wing and drained a three-pointer to get the deficit to one with 32 seconds remaining.

FSU missed another front end at the foul line, but another Concord turnover foiled an opportunity. Now with eight seconds left, Fairmont State's David Jolinder, who was previously 7-for-7 at the foul line, went 1-for-2 at the line leaving the door open for the Mountain Lions to force overtime or go for a potential game-winning shot.

Tolbert hustled the ball up the floor after a rebound from fifth-year senior forward Jevon Laidler. Tolbert stopped on a dime and buried a three-pointer from the left wing once again.

A shot from inside halfcourt by the Fighting Falcons was well short as Concord stormed back for the win.

Neither team could get a run of momentum during the game as it was played within a nine-point window. Concord's biggest lead of five came once during each half. And FSU only led by four points in the game. The contest featured 23 lead changes and eight ties.
 
Tied 32-32 at halftime, the Mountain Lions went up five, 41-36, at the 17:10 mark on two of senior guard JJ Harper's 15 points in the game.

As the back-and-forth continued, CU appeared to gain some momentum in the latter stages of the second half. Down 57-55 with 7:30 remaining, the Mountain Lions held Fairmont State scoreless over the next 3:32 of the game, but was only able to score six points of their own.

FSU rattled off a 9-2 run to go up 66-63 before the late theatrics from Tolbert.

Tolbert finished with 24 points, going a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range. He added a team-best nine rebounds. Harper and Tolbert were the only CU players in double figures. Senior guard Jordan Wooden recorded nine points, four rebounds and a team-high four assists.

Junior guard Corey Boston came off the bench for eight points.

Concord held a distinct advantage in rebounding, outboarding FSU 47-34. And the Mountain Lions scored 44 of their 69 points in the paint.

CU hits the road to face Frostburg State 4:00 p.m. Saturday.