Bowie State Falls To Fairmont State In NCAA To End Season

FAIRMONT, West Virginia -- Top-seeded and No. 3 ranked Fairmont State secured a spot in the NCAA Atlantic Region semifinals with a 93-67 win over Bowie State on Saturday evening inside Joe Retton Arena during the opening round of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional, hosted by Fairmont State University.

FSU will now battle Indiana (PA) in the second Atlantic Regional semifinal on Sunday evening. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.

Bowie State opened the contest with a quick 11-6 run, before Fairmont State regrouped to orchestrate a 21-4 run over the next eight minutes of play, leaving the Bulldogs trailing 27-15. The Falcons led by as many as 17 points (33-16) in the opening half before taking a 45-35 lead into the locker room at the half.

Bowie State once again started the half quickly, cutting Fairmont's halftime lead to just six (48-42) at the 14:05 mark of the second half. However, FSU went on an 8-0 burst over the next 48 seconds to take control of the game for good. FSU led by as many as 29 on two different occasions in the second half.

Matt Bingaya led the Falcons with 20 points and eight rebounds in the win. The Falcons also got 15 points from Thomas Wimbush, 13 points apiece from Vonte Montgomery and D'Ondre Stockman and 10 from Jason Jolly. Senior Shammgod Wells also chipped in eight points and passed out six assists in the win. Troy Cantrell also grabbed eight boards.

Fairmont State shot 44.9 percent from the field (31-of-69), and drained 11 three-pointers on the evening. The Falcons also held a 45-32 rebounding advantage, scored 21 points off 20 Bowie State turnovers and dropped in 19 second-chance points.

Ahmaad Wilson paced Bowie State with 19 points. Omari George added 17 while Enouma Ebinum followed with 11.

Fairmont State men's basketball will be making its fifth appearance in the NCAA Division II regional semifinals, including the third under head coach Jerrod Calhoun.

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