SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Jason Jolly scored a career high 28 points as top seed Fairmont State Wednesday advanced into its first ever NCAA Final Four, beating Rollins 86-68.
“It’s a strength in numbers,” Jolly said. “When I struggle, throughout the season, other guys have played well. It was my turn to pick up the slack and I was fortunate enough to hit shots. I was in a rhythm and my teammates found me in space.”
Jolly went 7-of-14 from 3 in the win, finishing one 3 shy of tying an NCAA Elite Eight record for 3s in a game.
The win sets a single-season program record for wins with 33 on the year for Fairmont State (33-2). The Falcons led by just one at the half, 42-41, but outscored Rollins 44-27 in the second half.
“We’re a pressing team, an energy team, a trapping team and a running team,” said Falcons coach Jerrod Calhoun. “I thought we got more run-outs and downhill a little bit more. We dictated the tempo of the game a little bit better in the second half.”
Fairmont State out-rebounded Rollins 43-34 and forced 18 Rollins’ turnovers in the win.
The Falcons will now advance to Thursday first national semifinal against the winner of Bellarmine and Colorado-Mines with tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET.