The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

Related Photos

  • AP photo

    0107WVU
January 7, 2009

UConn shoots down WVU

Mountaineers a paltry 30.3 percent from the floor in 61-55 loss

By Mickey Furfari

MORGANTOWN — No. 5-ranked Connecticut outlasted No. 25 West Virginia 61-55 in Tuesday night’s Big East home opener at the Coliseum.

The Huskies simply were too tall, too talented and too experienced over the long haul in an extremely physical, low-scoring contest before a near-capacity crowd of 13,920 highly vocal spectators.

Behind by just a point at 56-55, the Mountaineers were scoreless during the final two minutes as UConn added a field goal and three free throws to its total.

The two teams were tied 29-29 at halftime, thanks to Wellington Smith’s desperation three-point shot from far out. But the edge went to the Huskies in the final 20 minutes, 32-26.

In snapping WVU’s five-game winning streak, UConn made its record 13-1 overall and 2-1 in the conference. The Mountaineers now are 11-3 and 1-1.

“They’re a foot taller than we are,” WVU coach Bob Huggins observed. “I told you guys we’re getting unbelievable mileage out of three freshmen. I told you before the game that now we’re playing against men.

“We’re playing against 22-year-old men. Twenty-two-year-old guys are a lot bigger and a lot stronger.”

Huggins went on to point out that when Da’Sean Butler and Alex Ruoff go 9-for-29 from the field, the team simply isn’t going to win, especially against a team like Connecticut.

“We’re not good enough. We’re not big enough. We’re not strong enough,” Huggins said.

Indeed, that pretty much was the story Tuesday night.

Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun said, “Well, obviously when you see a game that has eight ties and 20 lead changes — that is 20 times in a 40-minute basketball game that it was either tied or the lead changed hands.

“It really was an incredibly competitive game.

“First thing, I want to give incredible tribute to West Virginia. I had seen them against Ohio State and Seton Hall in particular. I really got nervous about the way they were able to control the inside.

“Our biggest emphasis tonight was to bang the boards and at 52-33 I think we did a pretty good job.”

West Virginia shot 36.7 percent from the field in the stalemated first half and UConn only 28.1 percent. But in the decisive second half the Huskies shot a sizzling 57.1 percent and the Mountaineers only 25.9 percent.

Jeff Adrien led the winning attack with 17 points, including 13 in the second half.

Hasheem Thabeet, 7-3 junior center, had 13 points and 13 rebounds. Jerome Dyson had 11 points, including just two in the first half, and Kemba Walker chipped in 10 points.

Ruoff and Butler scored 13 each to lead West Virginia. Freshman Darryl “Truck” Bryant had 11.

West Virginia’s largest lead of the night was four points on a couple of occasions. UConn’s biggest margin was six at game’s end.

The Mountaineers visit Marquette for another game against a nationally ranked Big East team at noon Saturday.



No. 5 CONNECTICUT (13-1)

Adrien 7-11 3-3 17, Robinson 3-7 1-2 7, Thabeet 5-9 3-4 13, Dyson 3-7 5-8 11, Price 0-9 1-2 1, Walker 2-8 5-8 10, Austrie 1-2 0-0 2, Edwards 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-53 18-27 61.

No. 25 WEST VIRGINIA (11-3)

Butler 5-13 1-2 13, Ebanks 2-8 0-0 4, Smith 4-12 0-0 9, Ruoff 4-16 3-4 13, Bryant 3-11 4-4 11, Thoroughman 1-1 0-1 2, Jones 0-2 0-0 0, Thomas 0-0 0-0 0, Flowers 1-3 1-1 3. Totals 20-66 9-12 55.

Halftime—Tied 29-29. 3-Point Goals—Connecticut 1-8 (Walker 1-1, Austrie 0-1, Dyson 0-2, Price 0-4), West Virginia 6-26 (Butler 2-4, Ruoff 2-11, Bryant 1-5, Smith 1-5, Flowers 0-1). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Connecticut 52 (Robinson 15), West Virginia 33 (Smith 8). Assists—Connecticut 10 (Robinson 4), West Virginia 12 (Bryant 7). Total Fouls—Connecticut 14, West Virginia 19. A—13,920.

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