Published: March 01, 2008 11:34 pm      

A-B men, Fairmont women claim WVC titles

CHARLESTON — A late 9-0 spurt made the difference as Alderson-Broaddus surged past Pitt Johnstown 71-64 to give coach Greg Zimmerman his fourth title in seven seasons.

Guard Sam Liggins scored 19 points and Jimmy Williams had 16 points for A-B. Tournament MVP Terrell Eargle provided 11 points, nine assists and four steals. Guard Zach Green netted 10 key points off the bench.

Pitt Johnstown received 19 points and eight rebounds from Chris Gilliam. Point guard William Sharpe dished out 10 assists and had five steals.

A-B receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II East Region Tournament. UPJ, along with West Liberty State and West Virginia State, await the NCAA’s selections Sunday, March 9.



Fairmont St. 63, W.Va. Wesleyan 49

CHARLESTON — Fairmont State secured an NCAA Division II tournament bid and won the school’s first WVIAC women’s tournament championship in 24 years.

Tournament MVP Danielle Cornish recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Falcons, while Gabby Gattuso pumped in a team-high 20 points. Ashley Vavrek added 12 points as FSU improved to 25-6.

Wesleyan was paced by Brandi Wynn’s 13 points. All-tournament pick Sarah Van Horn recorded a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Fairmont controlled the interior with a 35-27 rebounding edge. The Falcons also outscored the Bobcats 28-14 in the paint. FSU shot 53.3 percent from the field, compared to Wesleyan’s 32.7.

Fairmont State earns an automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Division II East Regional. Fellow WVIAC members Shepherd and West Liberty State are also expected to be selected when bids are issued Sunday, March 9.