West Virginia basketball team wins first game of the season in a landslide victory.
The West Virginia University Mountaineers men’s basketball secured their first win of the 2016-17 season, in an impressive victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Mountaineers dominated the court, and won the game by a final score of 98-70. This marks the first time the Mountaineers have won their opening season game since the 2013-14 season.
Top Players Lead the Way
West Virginia had several strong performances from its players, with redshirt seniors Jaysean Paige and Jonathan Holton leading the way. Paige scored 15 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, while Holton scored an impressive 28 points and 14 rebounds for the Mountaineers.
Other standout players included freshman Lamont West, who added 15 points, and junior forward Nathan Adrian who scored 11 points off the bench. Freshman Chase Harler chipped in 11 points, while two other freshmen, Maciej Bender and Teddy Allen, both made significant contributions with 8 and 6 points, respectively.
Impressive Stats Across the Board
The Mountaineers shot a remarkable 57.7% from the field, and an even more impressive 50% from beyond the 3-point line. West Virginia’s defense was also solid, as they held Rutgers to just 37.3% from the field. The Mountaineers also had a strong advantage in rebounds, outworking the Scarlet Knights 43-32.
West Virginia with Positive Outlook for Season Ahead
The Mountaineers made a strong statement in their first game of the season, making it clear that the 2016-17 season could be the start of something special for the team. Going forward, it’ll be interesting to see how West Virginia can build off their impressive debut performance.
West Virginia Mountaineers: 98
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: 70
Key Takeaways:
- Jaysean Paige recorded 15 points and 5 rebounds.
- Jonathan Holton scored 28 points and 14 rebounds.
- The Mountaineers shot an impressive 57.7% from the field.
- West Virginia outrebounded Rutgers 43-32.
