Fairmont, W.Va. – The Glenville State Pioneer basketball team fell short on the road Wednesday night by just two points to the Fairmont State University Fighting Falcons, 77-75.
Glenville State (4-2, 1-2) shot 40 percent from the floor and 29 percent from deep while Fairmont State (5-2, 3-0) also shot 40 percent from the field and 25 percent from deep. Â
Early in the first, GSC found their selves trailing the Fighting Falcons by just three, 9-6 with under 15:00 to play. Fairmont State then went on a huge run outscoring the Pioneers 14-0 as they took a commanding 17 point lead, 23-6.
GSC's Davion Johnson would end the run on a three-pointer. Then the Pioneers hit another three-pointer, this time from Darhius Nunn and a layup saw GSC pull within nine points, 23-14.
The Pioneers then made a run of their own, outscoring the Fighting Falcons 23-14, as they came back after trailing by 17 to tie it up at 37-37 at the 2:40 minute mark. Then with the seconds ticking off the clock Karl Jeanty netted a three-pointer as the Pioneers took their first lead of the contest at 42-41 as we headed into halftime.
In the second, Glenville State came out and scored two quick buckets as they built a five point lead, their largest of the game, at 46-41. However after that lead, GSC and FSU would battle back and forth. At the 9:44 mark both teams found their selves all knotted up at 61-61.
FSU then made a late run as they held a seven point lead, 70-63 with under 6:00 to play. Again the Pioneers battled back and pulled within one, 74-73, as Howard Smith hit 1-of-2 from the free-throw line with under 2:00 left to play.
FSU's Kenzie Melko then drilled a jumper and went 1-of-2 from the free-throw line as the Fighting Falcons took a four point lead, 77-73. GSC's Davion Johnson would score a tip-in as the clock expired as the Pioneers fell by two, 77-75.
After hitting nine three's in the first half the Pioneers went just 0-for-10 in the second half.
The game had four lead changes and saw three ties.
FSU outscored GSC in the paint 42 to 36 while the Pioneers had the advantage on the run scoring 10 fast break points to Fairmont State's two.
Glenville State had four players reach double figures with Davion Johnson scoring a game-high 18 points and pulling down 10 rebounds as he posted his fourth double-double of the season. Darhius Nunn scored 16 points and dished out four assists.
Karl Jeanty chipped in with 12 points as he went 5-of-8 from the field while Phil Bledsoe scored 11 points and pulled down nine boards.
FSU was led by Andrew Emrick with 16 points while Vonte Montgomery posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Glenville State (4-2, 1-2) will host the Rams of Shepherd University this Saturday, December 1st at 4 p.m.
