Buckhannon, WV – In a game filled with momentum swings, clutch performances, and a dramatic finish, Concord edged West Virginia Wesleyan 89-87 in an overtime thriller at the Rockefeller Center on Wednesday night.
Concord guard Kollin Tolbert delivered a career-defining performance, torching the Bobcats for 36 points on 12-of-19 shooting, while going a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. Tolbert’s last-second layup in overtime proved to be the game-winner, capping off an electric night for the Mountain Lions.
The game saw eight ties and nine lead changes, with both teams exchanging leads in the final minutes of regulation and overtime.
Concord built a 35-30 halftime lead, thanks in part to the inside-outside play of Corey Boston (19 points, 9 rebounds) and Kraig Gilbert (11 points, 6 rebounds). However, West Virginia Wesleyan came roaring back, riding an explosive second half from Alex Mirhosseini, who drilled five three-pointers en route to 29 points.
Wesleyan outscored Concord 47-42 in the second half, briefly taking the lead in the final seconds. But Boston’s free throws forced overtime at 77-77, setting up the dramatic finish.
The extra period was a showcase of resilience. Mirhosseini’s clutch three-pointer tied the game at 87-87 with just 12 seconds left. But Tolbert had the final say, driving to the rim for the game-winner with one second remaining, securing the hard-fought 89-87 victory.
Key Takeaways
Tolbert’s Career Night: 36 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals – pure dominance.
Boston’s All-Around Game: 19 points, 9 rebounds, 3-of-4 from deep.
Mirhosseini’s Shooting Display: 29 points, 5-of-9 from three.
Bench Production: Concord’s bench outscored Wesleyan’s 15-17, with key minutes from Boubacar Djigo (5 points, 5 rebounds).
Free Throw Advantage: Concord shot 81.3% (26-32) from the line, a decisive factor in the win.
With the victory, Concord improves to 14-7 overall and 11-4 in the Mountain East Conference, while West Virginia Wesleyan falls to 5-18 (2-13 MEC).
The Bobcat men travel to Glenville State University Saturday, Feb. 15 for a 3 p.m. start.
