WVU Tech hangs on for 85-81 win over No. 10 IU East in #RSCgotw Men's Basketball
By WVU Tech sports information
MONTGOMERY, W.Va. -- WVU Tech came away with an 85-81 win over No. 10 Indiana University East Saturday afternoon in the River States Conference Men's Basketball Game of the Week. In a game that had seven ties and six lead changes, WVU Tech fought to earn its fourth consecutive win.
The Golden Bears boosted their record to 8-4 overall, 3-1 RSC while the Red Wolves now hold a record of 11-4, 3-1 RSC.
IU East had its largest lead of eight points with 7:28 left to play, but the Golden Bears went on a 12-4 run to get on top, 71-70, off a made three-pointer by junior Hunter Moles.
IU East freshman Jaylen McKay answered back with a three of his own, and that was the last lead the Red Wolves had at 73-71 with 4:09 left on the clock. WVU Tech finished the game on a 14-8 run to hold on for their second RSC win in as many games.
Leading 82-79, WVU Tech corralled a huge offensive rebound off of a missed free throw with less than 30 seconds remaining. The Red Wolves were forced to foul, and the Golden Bears tacked on another free throw to take a two-possession lead.
IU East leveled the score at halftime, 32-32, after trailing by as much as 11 in the first half.
WVU Tech junior Ryan Atkins has combined for 73 points in Tech's last two contests including 32 to lead all scorers against IU East and 41 in the win over Ohio Christian University (December 15). Atkins also posted a team-high four assists to go with six rebounds and a steal.
Fellow classmate Elisha Boone earned his third double-double of the season putting up 17 points for the Gold and Blue while pulling down 10 boards. Freshman Junior Arrey rounded out Tech's top offensive contributors with 10 points.
Senior Patrick Gnagbo and junior Michael Scott had six rebounds each in the win while junior Kievonn Banks finished with nine points.
IU East was led by sophomore Nate Niehoff on offense. He finished 7-for-14 from the field for16 points while fellow classmate Aaron Thomas led the game with 11 rebounds.McKay posted 14 points, and Charles Peterson added 12.
WVU Tech shot 49.1 percent (26-for-53) from the field and 81.1 percent (30-for-37) from the free throw line. The Red Wolves finished with 50.8 percent (30-for-59) shooting from the floor and 72.2 percent (13-for-18) from the foul line. Tech held the advantage in rebounds (37-29) and points off turnovers (11-9).
Up next, the Golden Bears will face Grace College in the Baisi Athletic Center Tuesday, December 20. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. in Montgomery, W.Va. IU East's next game is Dec. 22 versus NAIA Division II No. 2-ranked St. Francis (Ind.) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers, at 10 p.m.
IU East sports information contributed to this story.