The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

February 18, 2008

MSU looks to rebound vs. Voorhees

By Dave Morrison

There is reason to believe that it might not be good to be in Voorhees’ sneakers this evening.

After all, Mountain State, which hosts the Tigers tonight at 7 p.m., is nearly unbeatable at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

The Cougars are 40-0 at the 42-year-old edifice since losing to Union (Tenn.) during the 2006 season.

And, the Cougars are coming off their first loss of the season, a 72-71 heartbreaker at Lindsey Wilson that ended the team’s school-record 24-0 start.

On the other hand, this is uncharted territory.

“It’s going to be wait-and-see,” Bolen said. “It’s kind of like a boxer who gets hit on the chin and knocked down for the first time. You don’t know what’s going to happen until he gets up and continues on.”

And, Voorhees is a very good team. The Tigers gave MSU their best shot in a game two weeks ago, eventually falling 92-85.

Since then Voorhees (17-7) has reeled off five wins in a row.

Voorhees, like MSU an Independent Region squad, is fighting for position in both the region tournament as well as the national tournament.

The Tigers are led by Antonio Bolton, who had 34 points in the first matchup. He averages 21.2 points per game. Corey Mikel (14.0) and Everett Pace, a 6-foot-4 wing (11.1) are also in double figures.

“They have quickness at all five positions and they’re very athletic,” Bolen said.

When asked if they were the quickest team MSU has faced, Bolen said, “I can’t think of anyone any faster.”

The Tigers also have decent size in 6-7 and 6-6 in the post.

MSU, 15-0 at home this season, is led by James Spencer, who is averaging exactly 25 points per game. With 600 points in 24 games, Spencer is just five points from entering the season Top 10 scoring list and has an excellent chance to enter the top two by season’s end.

Adron Marshall, an Aiken, S.C., native, is next at 16.8 points and 6.0 rebounds and he also leads the Cougars in three-point percentage, hitting 56-of-129 (.434).

Jason McGriff averages 9.6 points and a team-best 7.8 rebounds, Tyrice Watkins averages 7.5 and 5.8 and Jarvis Jackson averages 7.4 points and 5.6 assists. Ralph Legg averages 6.5 off the bench.

Bolen said the team does hold a distinct advantage at home.

“Teams are in their normal routine at home,” Bolen said. “At the armory the background and shooting conditions are different than a lot of teams are used to. And, our home crowd gives us a home court advantage.”

MSU continues its current three-game homestand Thursday against Ohio Northwestern at 7 p.m.

— E-mail: demorrison@

register-herald.com

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