(Story by Taylor Kennedy)
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Bob Huggins mentioned earlier this week that Bowling Green liked to get out fast and score in transition. The Mountaineers did all they could by limiting the Falcons to 31 percent shooting from the field and 16 fast break points. West Virginia defeated Bowling Green, 73-57 in a charity exhibition game to benefit the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment Fund.
The Falcons did not shoot below 34 percent at all last season.
WVU saw different players contribute to the scoring total, including three double-figures, despite the team shooting 37 percent from the field.
The Mountaineers led by 10 heading into the break, 34-24, and they outscored Bowling Green by six in the second half. They saw their 10-point halftime lead stretch out to as many as 21 in the second half.
The Mountaineers shot 60 percent with their layups, including making their first five. They also narrowly outscored the Falcons in the paint, 30-28.
“I thought we played in spurts. We played well in spurts,” said WVU head coach Bob Huggins. “It is hard when you are subbing freshmen in and out of there and trying to get guys playing time who deserve some playing time. I wanted to ensure that we played well enough to at least get the fans excited about our team. They deserve that.”
West Virginia showed flashes of prior teams by going full-court man-to-man pressure. While the press saw success, the gritty, passionate Mountaineer defense forced 20 Falcon turnovers. However, WVU gave the ball away 19 times.
“It was good at times and bad at times,” stated Huggins. “It is not where it needs to be. It’s not near where we want it to be, but again, a lot of it is you are trying to break old habits and start new. That is harder than just starting new habits. It’s going to take a little bit of time. That’s why it’s so important we got this game in. From now on, we start playing where they count them.”
One of the things that left Huggins optimistic was his team’s ability to rebound against a team that averaged 57 total and 18 offensive rebounds per game a season ago. The Mountaineers reeled in 55 rebounds, including 23 offensive rebounds.
“We do not shoot very well. We spent a lot of time rebounding, but we’re capable of more consistently shooting the ball,” noted Huggins. “We have to continue to work on it, and I think they got a little tired. This time of year, you do so much half-court that you’re not running up and down. Your wind is not what it will be when you play three or four games a week. It’s a different kind of situation. We don’t have a lot of returning veteran guys. We’ve got older guys, but they’re coming from different places with different ideas on how to play: different offensive systems, different defensive systems, different expectations. It’s going to take a little time to do that.”
South Carolina and Wichita State transfer Erik Stevenson led the charge for West Virginia, scoring 18 points, which led all scorers. The 6-foot-4 guard also corralled 10 rebounds.
“Gotta build off of it,” Stevenson said. “We probably have the toughest schedule in the country.”
Emmitt Matthews Jr. and Kedrian Johnson combined for 25 points shooting a combined 8-of-14, including going a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe.
Among the many contributors, freshman Josiah Harris posted six points and rebounds while only playing 13 minutes.
“If he isn’t reading his Bible that he carries around, he’s in the gym,” said Matthews about the Canton, Ohio native. “He is a basketball junkie. We love that kid.”
West Virginia will open its season on Monday, November 7th, at home against Mount St. Mary’s.