FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Seger Bonifant had 27 points and 10 boards and sixth-ranked West Liberty snapped No. 2 Fairmont State’s 13-game win streak 84-77 on Thursday night in front of 3,427 fans at Joe Retton Arena.
Seeking its seventh straight league championship, West Liberty (19-2, 13-2 Mountain East) completed the home-and-home sweep with 17 points apiece from Devin Hoehn and Mike Lamberti, while David Dennis added 12.
Matt Bingaya led the Falcons (19-2, 13-2) with 20 points and 11 rebounds but made just 6-of-15 from the foul line. Jason Jolly added 18 points off the bench and Thomas Wimbush finished with 14 in Fairmont State’s first loss since falling 88-86 at West Liberty on Dec. 5.
With Fairmont State leading 28-27 at the 7:01 mark of the opening half, the Hilltoppers went on a 16-3 run over a five-minute span, including three 3s by Hoehn.
West Liberty led 45-37 at the break and by 13 early in the second half before FSU cut the margin to 65-60.
The Hilltoppers responded, though, getting layups from Dennis and Bonifant on back-to-back possessions and beat Fairmont State for the 27th time in 30 games under coach Jim Crutchfield.
WLU shot 45 percent from the field (29-of-64), held a 47-44 rebounding advantage and outscored FSU in the paint 40-34.
Fairmont State shot just 41.4 percent from the field and struggled from the free-throw line, making just 9-of-21 (42.9 percent).
FSU will now prepare to face No. 4 Wheeling Jesuit (21-1, 14-1) on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Wheeling. The Cardinals took sole possession of first place after their victory over Shepherd on Thursday night.