The University of Charleston couldn't slow down unbeaten Fairmont State Sunday evening, as the Falcons dispatched the Golden Eagles 95-78.
UC (9-3, 3-3 Mountain East) managed to trim the lead to single digits a couple times early in the second half, but simply couldn't make enough plays down the stretch to keep up with Fairmont (12-0, 6-0).
Jonathon Tshibuy (19 points) and LeJavius Johnson (18 points) led the way offensively for the Golden Eagles, while Justin Coleman turned in a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
But UC was unable to slow down Fairmont's Thomas Wimbush, who netted a game-high 30 points in the winning effort. Matt Bingaya and Shammgod Wells finished with 14 apiece, while D'Ondre Stockman had 10.
The Golden Eagles will try to shake its three-game losing streak when they visit Shepherd (7-6, 4-3) Tuesday night. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
West Virginia State men's basketball
West Virginia State fell behind early and never recovered in its 106-61 defeat at Shepherd University Sunday afternoon.
The Rams (7-6, 4-3 Mountain East) outscored State 61-26 in the first half, and then coasted to their third win over their last four games in the second period.
Ernest Jenkins and Terrance Jenkins each tallied 11 points in the loss for State (5-8, 2-5), which has lost its last three contests. Jahlen Greene rounded out the Yellow Jackets' double-figure scorers with 10.
Sklyer Roman and Steffen Davis paced Shepherd with 25 and 24 points, respectively. AJ Carr scored 15 for the Rams, while Naim Muhammed finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
State will have its hands full again Tuesday night as the Yellow Jackets head to Fairmont to take on the undefeated Falcons (12-0, 6-0).
The University of Charleston women's basketball team dropped its fifth straight game Sunday afternoon as the Golden Eagles fell 66-55 to Fairmont State.
Charleston (4-8, 3-3 Mountain East) was within a basket with five minutes remaining, but was outscored 16-8 down the stretch by the Falcons (7-6, 4-3).
Fairmont's Amanda Ruffner led the way with a game-high 31 points on 8 for 12 shooting. Ruffner also had six rebounds, four blocks, two steals and an assist.
Madison Jones led UC's three double-figure scorers with 13 points, while Anna Hayton scored 12 and Abby Watson finished with 10.
The Golden Eagles will be looking to snap their five-game skid when they return to action with a 5:30 p.m. tip Tuesday at Shepherd (5-10, 2-5), who defeated West Virginia State Sunday.
West Virginia State women's basketball
West Virginia State's women's basketball team started fast and finished strong Sunday, but were ultimately doomed by lackluster performances in the second and third quarters of their 87-78 loss to Shepherd.
The Yellow Jackets (7-6, 5-2 Mountain East) jumped out to a 24-17 lead after a quarter, but were outscored 49-26 over the next two periods by the Rams (5-10, 2-5), who picked up their first win since Dec. 16.
Aurreshae Hines led the way for West Virginia State with 15 rebounds, five rebounds and four assists, but also turned the ball over four times.
Shealyn Shafer and Damonique Patterson rounded out the Yellow Jackets' double-figure scorers with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Shepherd boasted five double-figure scorers, including four starters, led by Morgan Arden with a game-high 21.
West Virginia State now heads to Fairmont Tuesday for a 5:30 p.m. tip with the Falcons (7-6, 4-3).