WVU stays undefeated, wins in rout
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Seven West Virginia players scored in double figures as the Mountaineers pounded Bethune-Cookman 97-44 Monday night at the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic.
The Mountaineers (4-0) and Wildcats (2-2) were playing in the second round of the tournament, which moves to Las Vegas Thursday for the next round.
West Virginia’s Devin Williams (12 points, 10 rebounds) recorded his fourth double-double in as many games, but received plenty of support. Elijah Macon added 13 points and 10 rebounds and Jonathan Holton had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Jevon Carter, Daxter Miles Jr., and Jaysean Paige each had 14 points, and Teyvon Myers added 10.
It marked the first time since Nov. 28, 2012 against VMI that seven Mountaineers scored in double digits. In that game Juwan Staten, Aaric Murray, Deniz Kilicli, Gary Browne, Keaton Miles, Terry Henderson and Eron Harris all scored in double figures.
The 53-point margin was the widest yet for a Mountaineer team that had beaten its first three opponents by an average of 33 points each.
Although the Mountaineers shot 52 percent from the floor (36 of 69) and 33 percent from the 3-point line (8 of 24), they dominated rebounding, hauling down 50 boards to the Wildcats’ 28. The offensive rebound total was 18-11 in favor of the Mountaineers.
The Mountaineers forced 30 turnovers out of the Wildcats, while giving the ball away 16 times.
Holton was 4 of 6, freshman Esa Ahmad was 4 of 7, Williams was 5 of 9, Paige was 5 of 10 and Macon was 6 of 8 from the field. Macon has made 19 of 25 field goals on the season.
Bethune-Cookman connected on 8 of 24 3-pointers compared with 5 of 27 for West Virginia. . Jordan Potts and Randy Holmes and Randy Holmes each grabbed six rebounds.
West Virginia plays Richmond Thursday in Las Vegas. It’s the Mountaineers’ third game in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational. The Spiders defeated Bethune-Cookman 89-64 Saturday.
Bethune-Cookman will take on Stetson, also on Thanksgiving, in the same tournament. Both schools are located in Volusia County, Florida, but will meet 2,000 miles from home. The Mountaineers defeated the Hatters 103-62 Friday.