The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

November 19, 2008

MSU faces first road test tonight vs. Cumberlands

By Dave Morrison

Points have come by the bucket full for Mountain State University this season. In five games, MSU has averaged 103.6 points per game.

However, all five of those games have come at the friendly confines of the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

For the first time this season, with the exception of the Cougars’ exhibition game in Morgantown, MSU takes to the road.

NAIA No. 3 Mountain State will battle No. 11 University of the Cumberlands tonight at 7 o’clock. The game will be broadcast live on WTNJ-105.9.

“Really good,” MSU coach Bob Bolen said of the 3-0 Patriots. “Really strong inside game, real good shooters and a lot of quickness. We’ve had some battles down there in the past and I’m not sure this isn’t going to be another one.”

While points have come early and often for Mountain State, one stat suggests this might be a different story.

Cumberlands is giving up just 49.3 points per game in three wins.

“If you take out the game with West Virginia, this is the best team we have played,” Bolen said. “This is a team that is good every year and I believe they may be better than they have ever been.”

Like Mountain State, the Patriots show four starters averaging double figures, led by Chad Byron, who averages 15 points per game. Xavier Prince averages 12, Luke Fitzgerald 11.7 and Terrance Asmond 10.3. Josh Phillips, the other starter, averages 8.3.

Andrew Lee leads the MSU attack, averaging 19.2 points per game. Anthony Pigram averages 18.3 and he already has 22 three-pointers on the season. Bo Harris averages 16 points and 9.8 rebounds, Tony Brown 11.6 points and 8.2 assists and Adison Mosquera rounds out the starting five (4.6 points and 4.6 rebounds).

“When you have two similar teams, and they are rated as high as these teams are, it’s a big game,” Bolen said. “So far, it’s the biggest game we’ve played. We have to play our best basketball to stay in this game.”

MSU returns home for a 2 p.m. game Saturday with Morris College.

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