FAIRMONT, W.Va. - The No. 8 ranked West Liberty University men's basketball team dropped its first conference game of the season, 101-76, to Fairmont State this evening inside Joe Retton Arena.

The Hilltoppers (14-2, 9-1) battled back-and-forth with the Fighting Falcons (12-5, 7-3) in the opening 13 minutes and held a lead of as many as six early on. After a Steve Cannady layup at the 7:10 mark, West Liberty did not make a field goal the remainder of the first half. Fairmont State scored 15 of the final 19 points before the break capped off by a slam dunk to give the Falcons their largest lead of the game heading to the locker room. 

There were 10 lead changes and four ties in the opening frame setting the stage for a classic battle of the two historic programs, but Fairmont State took the momentum from the end of the first half and rolled to victory on its home court.

West Liberty was unable to string more than two field goals in a row together in the second half, as the Falcons kept their lead at double digits the entire way.

Fairmont State shot 51.6% from three (16-for-31) and held the Hilltoppers to 30% shooting (9-for-30) beyond the arc. The Falcons also held the edge in the paint, 36-24, and on the fast break, 18-10.

Christian Montague led the team in scoring for the second straight game netting 15 points, while Bryce Butler posted his fourth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

West Liberty will be back home on Wednesday to take on Alderson Broaddus at 7:30 pm inside the ASRC in its first rematch of the season.

Follow Hilltopper basketball all season online at HilltopperSports.com and on Twitter (@WLU_Hoops | @WLathletics), Instagram (@wlu_mbb | @wlu_athletics), and Facebook.