INSTITUTE, W.Va. - - A third quarter pick six by Nehemiah Jones proved to be the difference on Saturday as UVa-Wise scored a 16-13 Mountain East Conference win over West Virginia State.  The victorious Cavaliers rushed for a season-high 279 yards in the victory led by freshman Carlton Griffith's 30 carry 111 yard performance.

Following a muffed punt, West Virginia State (2-6, 1-6) scored the game's first points with a 10-yard touchdown run by quarterback Matt Kinnick. Kole Paterson's point after was good to give the Yellow Jackets a 7-0 lead.

UVa-Wise (1-7, 1-6 MEC) responded with one of its best drives of the season, a 14-play, 81-yard drive that was capped off by a quarterback sneak for six by Ty Ryans. Zach Large booted the extra point to tie the game at seven.

The Cavaliers would enter halftime with their first halftime lead of the season thanks to a 21-yard field goal by Large to finish off a 10-play 79-yard drive.

Jones gave UVa-Wise its biggest lead of the season with 1:53 to play in the third quarter when he picked off a Kinnick pass and raced 21 yards to the end zone. Large's point after was blocked, leaving the score 16-7.

The Yellow Jackets would draw within three when Kinnick scored on an 11-yard touchdown scamper, following a fumble by UVa-Wise. The extra point try failed, leaving the score 16-13.

The Cavalier offense would milk the clock behind the legs of Griffith and Ryans to secure the MEC win. Ryans finished with 92 rushing yards while Von Purvis added 68 yards on the ground.

Senior Jeremiah Cooke joined Jones with an interception while Zach Blair tallied nine stops and 2.5 tackles for loss. Chris Flood led all players with 11 tackles in the win.

The Yellow Jackets were limited to 210 yards of total offense in dropping their third straight.

UVa-Wise will return home to face nationally ranked Concord University next Saturday.