By Dave Morrison
Fresh off a 102-55 season-opening win over Ohio Valley Thursday night, Mountain State coach Bob Bolen is looking for, of all things, improvement in his team.
As coaches are wont to do, Bolen looked past the final and focused on the overall game.
“I would hope that those first-game jitters are out of the way now,” he said. “It seemed like we were in a hurry at times, like we were playing excited and rushing things instead of just letting the game flow. And we want to see what we did wrong defensively and correct that. We want to contain the dribbler a little better.”
He’ll get that chance today when the NAIA No. 3 Cougars entertain Maryland Bible College at 4 p.m. at the new and improved Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.
“They are athletic and they have four starters back from last year,” said Bolen, who has seen tapes of a game last week. “They look like a good basketball team. But at this time of the year, we’re more worried about us than our opponents. How can we make us a better team? That’s the concern.”
There was no concern offensively, as far as scoring enough to put away Ohio Valley early in the opener Thursday.
Andrew Lee had 20 points to lead MSU, and fellow starters Bo Harris (16) and Anthony Pigram (13) also had big nights. They’ll be joined in the starting five by Ermin Tarcin and Tony Brown.
MSU also got double figures off the bench from Marcus Hunter (17) and Greg Grimes (15).
“I was pleased with the way Greg and Marcus came into the game and shot the basketball,” Bolen said. “Sometimes that depth is a double-edged sword. But it was nice to see them score the way they did.”
Also, Adison Mascara had 11 rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench.
All 12 Cougars who dressed played in the game.
“We’re trying to see what people can do in game situations,” Bolen said. “Obviously, we want to win the game. But we’re trying different combos, just looking at a few different things.”
Mountain State (1-0) remains at home following today’s game with a game against West Virginia Wesleyan Tuesday night. The Cougars then travel to Morgantown to face Bob Huggins and the West Virginia Mountaineers in an exhibition game at 1 p.m. next Saturday, Nov. 8.
