Hot Start Gives WVU Victory Over Richmond
Mountaineers defeat first ranked opponent this season
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MORGANTOWN -- The West Virginia University men's basketball team's walk-ons checked into the game with just over a minute remaining, a piercing move signaling that the end was near.
The substitutions were the final nail in the coffin in an 87-71 WVU victory, one that the No. 11 Mountaineers were glad to be on the positive end of.
Guard Miles McBride exploded offensively on Sunday, ending the afternoon with 20 points. The Mountaineers ended the afternoon shooting 58% from the field, ultimately breezing past the No. 19 Richmond Spiders for a blowout win.
For West Virginia (6-1), it was the team's first win over a ranked opponent this season, in addition to Richmond's first loss.
Unlike in Friday's bout with North Texas, in which the Mountaineers struggled mightily in the first half on offense, the team came out strong, entering halftime with a firm 52-30 lead.
Led by a handful of offensive contributors including McBride and guards Sean McNeil and Taz Sherman, West Virginia (6-1) was shooting 66% from the field at the break, including 6-of-9 from the 3-point line.
At the end of the afternoon, McBride, McNeil (12), Sherman (12) and forwards Derek Culver (10) and Oscar Tshiebwe (10) all found themselves scoring in double figures.
"They shot like that in practice all along," WVU head coach Bob Huggins said.
"I don't think it was a matter of looking like they were hot, they were just normal. Sean really struggled in the games but made everything in practice. Taz has been pretty consistent in making shots.
"We've gotta get J.B. (Jalen Bridges) going because he can be another guy making shots for us. Emmitt (Matthews) has made shots. If we don't turn it over and if we stop dribbling it so much, I think we can be a pretty good offensive team."
Additionally, the West Virginia defense forced 16 Richmond turnovers across the game, resulting in 19 of the team's points. Fifteen came in the first half alone.
"I think we did a good job of turning our defense to offense and getting shots to players that need to see a shot go in," Sherman said.
"Sean was really feeling it and we were just picking up our defensive pressure and intensity. Once we felt that, our offense was taking care of itself. We saw one go in, second one go in and that boosts our defense and vice versa. I think our defense was the main catalyst of us and the creation of offense."
In addition to his scoring effort, Culver ended the afternoon with 11 rebounds, earning his fourth double-double of the season. He led the team in rebounding, the key contributor to the team's total of 35.
West Virginia will return to the court on Friday for its third consecutive home game. The Mountaineers will host Iowa State as conference play tips off, with the 9 p.m. start being broadcast on ESPNU.
"We've got a week to prepare for Iowa State," Huggins said. "We come out of this, I think, a little bit dinged up and a little leg-weary, so we're going to take some time off with them and maybe look at some film and things and then get back at it."