Dukes offer a good test for WVU in preseason exhibition

It was not as easy as some exhibitions end up being, but West Virginia was able to prevail over Duquesne 78-70 in the team’s lone game before regular season play begins.

Friday’s contest was the first time the Mountaineers got to play against someone other than themselves since they traveled to Spain back in August. The largest lead the Mountaineers were able to get out to was 13 and the game was as close as eight with seven minutes left in the game.

True freshman Oscar Tshiebwe was West Virginia’s best player throughout the contest, scoring 17 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in 27 minutes.

Sophomores Derek Culver and Jordan McCabe, both of whom look to improve upon impressive freshman campaigns, also played well in the victory. Culver scored seven points and nabbed eight boards while McCabe scored three and dished out four assists.

Fueled by Tshiebwe and Culver’s efforts, WVU out-rebounded the Dukes 48-34.

As a team, West Virginia shot 31-66 (47%) from the floor but struggled from the free-throw line, only converting 10 of their 20 attempts.

Also debuting for WVU was sophomore Sean McNeil. After a slow start, McNeil finished the game with 12 points on four of nine shooting. Another newcomer, junior Taz Sherman led all players at halftime with eight points but fell silent in the second half.

Tavian Dunn-Martin led the way for Duquesne, scoring 19 points while center Bailey Steele brought down 10 rebounds.

West Virginia will open the regular season at home against Akron next Friday at 7 p.m. in the Coliseum.