Box Score
 
WHEELING, W.Va. – Wheeling Jesuit sophomore standout Justin Fritts went 5-6 on free throws in the dying minutes to put the Cardinals away with a physical 70-67 win over Fairmont State on Tursday.
 
The win marked the eighth straight for the red hot Cardinal team, who find themselves jockeying for a top-four finish in the Mountain East Conference, and a bye in the first round of the playoffs with a 14-8 overall record (11-7 MEC).
 
The Cardinals came into the game in 7^th place in the conference, and are now tied for 5^th with Glenville State. The next four games will be crucial for WJU with each opponent ranked above them, including Glenville. A win could propel them to the top four.
 
This game however, came down to steady hands from Fritts at the free throw line down the stretch, and another gutsy performance from Freshman Kyle Ritz, who (with 17 points and 12 rebounds tonight) scored his third double-double in four games.
 
"We knew coming in it was going to be a battle. It wasn't pretty, but we were able to get it done," said WJU head coach Danny Sancomb. "We did a nice job in the second half keeping them in front, forcing contested shots, and rebounding the ball.
Our guys stayed together, and we're growing as a team. We need to continue to grow, but we're headed in the right direction."
 
Leading the Cardinals in the Stats column was Fritts, who had a game-high 23 points on the night, 15 of which were free throws. Ritz had another outstanding evening with his 17, Siefert put in 14 points and a team high six assists, and senior Andre Harris finished with 13 points highlighted by an above-the-rim dunk in the first half.
 
Like most of the game, the first half was neck-and-neck, with both teams making big shots just when the other was gaining momentum. The physicality between the two teams wasn't lost on the crowd either with the Jesuit fans getting riled up on big shots and big fouls. The Falcons were able to control the pace as the period drew to a close however, and took a 34-26 lead into the break.
 
It wouldn't take long for the Cardinals to climb back in it though, going on an 8-0 run to open up the second half. WJU took the lead for good when Andre Harris finished one of Kyle Ritz rebounds with a big jumper.
 
The Cardinals extended their lead to as many 11 with 7 minutes to play, but some ill-timed turnovers put the momentum with the Falcons. With the game on the line, the Cardinals kept the ball in Fritts' hands and Fairmont kept sending him to the line.  Five free throws later, the Cardinals walked off victors in front of an excited crowd.
 
WJU's quest for the a first round bye will face a stern test on Saturday when they head to Shepherdstown to take on the second place Rams before returning home to face Glenville State in their final regular season home game of the year on February 20^th.