DUNBAR, W. Va. — Davis & Elkins nearly completed a comeback but fell just short in an 80-77 Mountain East Conference loss to West Virginia State Wednesday night at the Walker Convocation Center.

The Senators trailed by as many as nine points in the second half but rallied behind Matthew Gray's 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists. Nnadozie Okoroji added 16 points, hitting four three-pointers, while Noah Adamczyk chipped in 10 points and 4 rebounds. Darrius Roach contributed 9 points and key plays down the stretch, helping D&E cut the deficit to just two in the final seconds.

Davis & Elkins showed resilience throughout, out-rebounding West Virginia State 41-38 and scoring 18 points off the bench. The Senators also forced multiple turnovers and converted 10 fast-break points, keeping the game close until the final moments.

West Virginia State maintained a narrow lead for much of the second half, with Hassan Belkhaddar scoring 21 points and Trey Harris adding 19. The game featured multiple lead changes and ties, including a 75-75 deadlock with just over a minute remaining. In the final seconds, Okoroji tipped in a basket to bring D&E within two points, but free throws by Belkhaddar and Jaylen Subject sealed the Senators' fate.

Davis & Elkins (6-9, 3-5 MEC) hit 45 percent of their field goals and 26 percent from three-point range, while converting 17 of 24 free throws.

D&E will return to the McDonnell Center on Saturday, Jan. 17, to face the University of Charleston at 4 p.m. in another Mountain East Conference contest.