Harlan Obioha Paves the Way for WVU Basketball Exhibition Game Win

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Mountaineer fans got their first glance at the new-look Mountaineers Sunday, as the WVU basketball team topped Wheeling University 80-54 in an exhibition game. Senior center Harlan Obioha had 19 points and eight rebounds on the day.

The first players on the court for WVU were senior guard Jasper Floyd, senior guard Honor Huff, senior guard Treysen Eaglestaff, senior forward Brenen Lorient and senior center Harlan Obioha.

The front court helped WVU to a 9-0 lead, as Lorient had four points and Obioha had five.

A lineup change from the starters led to a 2:31 scoring drought for WVU, which Wheeling made the score 9-6 at the 14:58 mark.

The Mountaineers struggled to pull away in the first half, as a foul by Eaglestaff on a made three-pointer made it 22-12 going into the eight-minute media timeout.

WVU followed with a 9-0 run, featuring contributions from Floyd, Obioha, Lorient and fifth-year guard Chance Moore to make it 31-12 with just over five minutes remaining.

Huff and Eaglestaff added a three-pointer apiece as WVU took a 41-21 lead to the locker room.

Obioha led all scorers in the first half with 10 and added five rebounds. Lorient and Huff added eight points apiece.

Wheeling started the second half hot with a 7-2 run, forcing a timeout from WVU head coach Ross Hodge.

It was all Obioha to start the half for WVU, as he had all six of the Mountaineers’ first points to start.

The Mountaineers kept the Cardinals at arms length, leading 66-50 with 5:32 left in the game.

Freshman guard Jayden Forsythe helped WVU pull away, as he drilled two consecutive three-pointers for a 75-45 WVU lead with 3:20 remaining.

The Mountaineers held on as Forsythe added another three-pointer to win 80-54 On top of Obioha’s performance, Lorient had 14 points and Forsythe finished with nine.

WVU will kick off its regular season against Mount St. Mary’s at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4 at the Hope Coliseum.

Find more coverage of WVU Basketball at WV Sports Now.