The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

November 9, 2008

Cougars earn degree of respect

By Dave Morrison

MORGANTOWN — It’s called putting the shoe on the other foot.

Normally, it is Mountain State putting the hightop square on the throat of an opponent. Saturday, the tables were turned.

Early, and often, points came in threes for the Cougars’ opponent, who built a 20-2 lead.

Game, set and ballgame.

Yes, there is a caveat. That opponent was West Virginia, in the WVU Coliseum, and it was only an exhibition game.

So, a 3-0 mark remains intact.

MSU’s NAIA Division I No. 3 ranking won’t be affected.

And, truth be told, after that slow start, the Cougars didn’t play half bad, finally losing 98-78.

“We came out slowly, with a shocked look,” Mountain State coach Bob Bolen said. “It was like a deer in the headlights. And then (Da’Sean) Butler and (Alex) Ruoff started draining those threes and it got ugly quick.”

The Mountaineers did start fast: Ruoff three, Devin Ebanks three-point play, Butler three-point play, Butler three, Ruoff three and Butler another three. By multiples of three in the first five minutes, WVU led 18-2.

To its credit, Mountain State never quit.

Despite being down by as many as 21, MSU never flinched, and in so doing, earned a degree of respect from the Big East’s Mountaineers.

“They didn’t quit,” said Butler, who finished with 38 points. “They are a good team, especially in their conference. Especially No. 1 (A.J. Pigram). He was hitting shots from all over. And he got a lot of help.”

“We knew they wouldn’t quit,” WVU coach Bob Huggins said later. “Bobby’s got a good team, with good players. What good would it do for us to bring somebody in here who we’re going to beat by 50? We knew they would compete.”

And they did.

Twice in the second half, Mountain State cut the lead to 10 behind Pigram, who had seven points on a 13-6 run to start the second half.

But each time, WVU responded, as expected, to kick the lead back near 20.

Despite the final, consider the start.

Consider that last year, with five returning starters, Mountain State lost by 22 in Morgantown.

And consider the respect that Mountain State earned by playing WVU to within two points after the first six minutes of action.

Was it a win?

No.

“We came in here to compete, try to win the game,” Bolen said. “But I am proud of my team. They didn’t quit. They came back, cut it to 10 twice. We’ll go back, regroup and take it from there. This loss won’t hurt us. We learned a little bit about ourselves. I saw a team that didn’t quit. We didn’t fold the tents and pack it in.”

And against WVU, that was all MSU could ask for.

Sometimes a win can come in the form of a 20-point loss.

Text Only
Sports
  • Big12logo.jpg Getting to know the Big 12 Conference

    As West Virginia University moves into the Big 12 Conference, here's one place to come to find out about all of the Mountaineers new league opponents.

    April 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • WVU releases 2012 football schedule

    West Virginia University has released its football schedule for 2012.

    WVU announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the conference power Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July in time for the fall football season.
     

    February 14, 2012

  • WVU settles Big East lawsuit

    West Virginia University announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July.
    Athletic Director Oliver Luck said the terms of the deal were confidential and WVU wouldn’t release details. But Luck said no state, taxpayer, tuition or other academic dollars will be used in the settlement.

    February 14, 2012

  • Shannon leads Woodrow win; Weiford 3 keys Spartans

    February 14, 2012

  • Woodrow holds off Huntington

     It took Woodrow Wilson’s boys basketball team nearly three quarters to figure out that the backside lob was open in Huntington High’s zone.

    January 10, 2012

  • MSU hosts Rio Grande

    For the first time since 1995, Mountain State stands a little past the half-way point at the season with five losses.

    January 10, 2012

  • OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - WVU to join Big 12 Conference

    The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors have voted unanimously to accept West Virginia University as a full conference member effective July 1, 2012.  The Mountaineers will begin competing in the Big 12 beginning with the 2012-13 athletic season.

    October 28, 2011

  • Friday update: Big East notified WVU leaving for Big 12

    The Big East says it has been notified that West Virginia is leaving the conference and joining the Big 12.

    October 28, 2011

  • Cardinals force Game 7 in World Series

    After one of the greatest games in baseball history, a 10-9, 11-inning victory over Texas in Game 6 in which the Cardinals were twice within one strike of elimination.

    October 28, 2011

  • Schiano sings WVU’s praises

    It hasn’t been the year that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano envisioned.
    Not close.

    December 1, 2010