FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Concord University men's basketball team scored 10 of the game's final 13 points as it shocked nationally-ranked, seventh-rated Fairmont State, 89-84, Wednesday night in a Mountain East Conference game at Joe Retton Arena.
Two weeks ago, Concord beat then nationally-ranked, number 10 West Liberty on the road.
The Mountain Lions (9-7, 8-4 MEC) who led for more than 31 minutes trailed 81-79 with 2:18 remaining. But, Concord returned the favor at the end of the shot clock on the next possession as senior guard
Corey Boston hit a jumper in the paint to tie the game for the ninth time.
On the next Fairmont State (16-3, 10-2 MEC) possession, freshman guard
Josiah Rickards stepped in a passing lane, and with 52 seconds left junior guard
Kollin Tolbert was able to weave through traffic for a reverse layup to push the lead to 85-81.
An errant three-pointer by FSU gave the ball back to Concord as Rickards canned two more foul shots with 23 seconds remaining.
The work wasn't done for the Mountain Lions as the Fighting Falcons canned a three-pointer to trim the margin to 87-84. Fairmont State forced a turnover off the ensuing inbound, but a potential game-tying three-pointer was off the mark, and with 5.4 seconds left CU wrangled the rebound.
Tolbert put the game away by two free throws, part of an 11-of-11 night at the charity stripe for the Cincinnati, Ohio native.
After eight lead changes over the first 12 minutes of the contest, CU took control of the final eight minutes of the first half.
The Mountain Lions cracked off a 9-2 run to lead by eight, 34-26, after a layup from sophomore forward
Boubacar Djigo. The lead got as high as 11 points, 41-30, after a three-pointer from junior forward
Ken Sallee.
CU settled for a 45-35 advantage at halftime.
Concord led by 12 twice in the second half—the latter coming on a bucket from freshman forward
Kraig Gilbert at the 18:19 mark to make it 51-39.
The Mountain Lions were able to hold off Fairmont State until the Fighting Falcons took a 74-73 edge with 4:56 left.
Tolbert poured in 26 points on an efficient 7-for-12 shooting. He added six rebounds and five assists. After combing for 21 points at Glenville State in a reserve role, Salle (14) and Rickards (13) helped Concord to a season-high 37 bench points.
Junior forward
Rene Diop had 10 points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocks.
Concord was able to overcome 22 turnovers by shooting 55.4 percent from the field (31-for-56). And CU shredded Fairmont State on the glass, 39-23.
Wednesday night was CU's first win at Fairmont State since February 2019.
The Mountain Lions return to the Carter Center to face Frostburg State 4:00 p.m. Saturday.
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