BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — Fairmont State used a balanced an efficient offensive attack in a 110-85 season-opening win at West Virginia Wesleyan Thursday evening.
“First time out in a long time, I am very pleased with the guys,” said Fairmont State head coach Tim Koenig. “They worked really hard to prepare for this and they had great enthusiasm both on and off the court.
“Guys were really sharing the ball. Obviously, you have to make shots. We missed everything we shot in the first four or five minutes. Guys calmed down and continued to play the right way. As long as the ball is moving, we are pretty good on offense.”
Wesleyan jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead in the opening minutes but the Falcons used a 14-0 run later in the first half to take a lead they would not relinquish. FSU took a 54-36 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Falcons employed a full court press for most of the game. FSU forced 21 Bobcat turnovers and turned those into 22 points. Fairmont also scored 24 points on the fast break.
“We think that is something we are pretty good at. We think the press can really help us and today it did. We gave up some things out of it in transition but we like where we are. We need to keep taking steps forward with that press.”
FSU’s Cole VonHandorf led all scorers with 18 points. With a 3-pointer late in the first half, he became the 52nd Falcon to eclipse the 1,000-point mark.
Fairmont Senior graduate and James Madison transfer Zyon Dobbs scored 10 points and dished out 6 assists in his Falcon debut. Dale Bonner (15), Seth Younkin (13), Przemyslaw Golek (13), Ilisia Washington (13), Isaiah Sanders (12) and Andrew Mills (11) all scored in double digits for Fairmont.
Fairmont State was one of three MEC schools to qualify for the NCAA Tournament last March, prior to cancelation due to COVID.
“It is so nice to be back on the court. That feeling you get with nervous energy right before the game, I have missed it and our guys did too. It was pretty cool.”
Notre Dame grad Jaret Mullooly was one of three Bobcats to lead the way, scoring a dozen points. Ross Young and Cameron Ramage matched Mullooly’s effort.
Fairmont State will host Davis & Elkins Sunday while the Bobcats will visit Frostburg State.