Box Score WHEELING, W.Va.---The Wheeling Jesuit men's basketball team fell to the Fairmont State University Falcons, 88-81, on Wednesday evening at the Alma Grace McDonough Center.
 
Wheeling Jesuit (3-5, 1-4 WVIAC) was led by Ben Siefert, who nearly recorded a triple-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists. Recardo Gaddy and Joe Prati followed with 18 points apiece, while Justin Fritts added 15 points.
 
Jesuit flew to a 13-point, 46-33 halftime advantage. The red-hot Cardinals buried 19-of-34 shots (56 percent) in the initial 20 minutes, which included a 6-for-11 (55 percent) performance from downtown.  However, the Falcons (6-3, 4-1 WVIAC) had the hot hand in the second half. Fairmont overcame the first-half deficit with a 22-of-36 (61 percent) showing from the floor and an amazing 8-for-10 (80 percent) effort from behind the arc.
 
Fairmont was led by Isaac Thornton and Chase Morgan with 15 points each, while Isaiah Hill and Malik Stith added 13 apiece.
 
Jesuit established a seven point lead, 15-8, within the first five minutes of play. The Cardinals increased the lead to 13 points, by the 3:37 mark and closed out the half with the same double-digit lead. After the break, the Falcons used a 20-12 run to close the gap, and at 10:36 in the second half, established a 62-61 advantage. The Falcons held on to a slim lead and increased the point spread to seven, 84-77 with 1:39 left to play, eventually hanging on for the win.
 
Wheeling Jesuit will travel to Greensburg, Pa. on Saturday, January 5 for a league contest against Seton Hill University. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.