FAIRMONT, W.Va. - Davis & Elkins hung tough with 23rd-ranked Fairmont State, but could not overcome a 14-3 run from the Falcons over the final five minutes in an 87-70 loss on Sunday afternoon.
Gyasi Powell had another impressive outing, leading the way for Davis & Elkins (1-1, 1-1 MEC) with 21 points (9-22 FG). Marcus Fleming added 19 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double and Sam Rolle IV chipped in 14 points, three rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Breland Walton posted eight points and 11 boards for the Senators in 23 minutes.
Fairmont State (2-0, 2-0 MEC) was led by Cole VanHandorf, who recorded 21 points and eight rebounds. Isaiah Sanders secured a double-double behind 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Dale Bonner notched 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
A contest that featured 11 ties and 17 lead changes, neither team shot the ball particularly well. The Senators went 34% from the floor, went 4-of-23 from beyond the arc and made just 12 of 21 foul shots.
The Senators raced out to a 6-0 lead to start the game after baskets from Fleming, Powell and B. Walton. The Falcons whittled the deficit down and took their first lead at 14:53 in the opening from off a VanHandorf three pointer. Both sides traded baskets, with neither able to gain much separation, at the under-10 media timeout.
Powell, who scored a game-high 13 points in the opening half, pushed the Senators back in front with a trey ball at 8:39 for a 24-23 edge. The freshman hit the Senators only other three-pointer of the first half at 7:24, lifting D&E ahead by two at 27-25. Davis & Elkins ended the first half on a 6-0 run over the final 2:37 to tie the score at 37 heading into the locker room.
Things were tightly contested again in the second half. Fleming knocked down a layup at 16:38 for a 45-41 edge, but the up and down action continued. D&E called a timeout, trailing 67-61 after the Falcons reeled off a 9-1 run.
Rolle IV stuck a much-needed three at 6:13 to slice the deficit to 69-64 before Kyle Leslie knocked down a long-range shot from the right wing. A dunk from Seth Younkin and triple from VanHandorf provided a nine-point cushion for Fairmont State at 76-67 with 4:35 left. A pair of foul shots extended the Falcons lead to 11 at 78-67 and the hosts maintained the double-digit lead the rest of the way.
Davis & Elkins returns to the court on Wednesday, January 13 to face Glenville State on the road with tipoff set for 7:30 PM.
Gallery: (1-9-2021) Men's Basketball vs. Fairmont State (1/10/21)
