West Virginia Defensive Effort Too Much for Bowling Green, Winning 73-57

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s new-look team came out and showed out on defense, making it too much for Bowling Green to handle during their exhibition game on Friday night. The Mountaineers pulled away 73-57.

Defense was West Virginia’s identity during their sole exhibition contest Friday night. The Mountaineers forced 20 turnovers while Bowling Green shot 31 percent from the field.

WVU head coach Bob Huggins mentioned before the game that Bowling Green would test his team on the defensive end, specifically during transition play. Bowling Green made 6-three’s and scored 16 fast break points.

NOPE. 😮‍💨#HailWV | @ej_stevenson5 pic.twitter.com/RVlRgqsjxL

— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) October 29, 2022

West Virginia’s new-look offense struggled to consistently make shots. Last season WVU struggled at shooting inside the paint. Against Bowling Green, West Virginia shot 13-of-26 off of layups.

Despite the questionable shooting the Mountaineers gave themselves many second-chance opportunities, bringing down 23 offensive rebounds.

West Virginia won the rebounding battle 55-37.

WVU F Emmitt Matthews scored back-to-back field goals to bring the Mountaineers’ lead to double-digits with six minutes left in the game. Matthews played in his first game against another opponent in-front of the coliseum crowd since the 2020-21 season. The Washington native had 14 points and six rebounds.

Early on in the second half, JUCO transfer Mohamed Wague retrieved his own missed shot and put it right back up for an and-one opportunity. Wague finished with six points and nine rebounds.

Freshman forward Josiah Harris nailed WVU’s only first half 3-pointer with six minutes remaining. Harris, a Canton, Ohio native, finished with six points and 2-three’s.

Former University High School and now-Bowling Green G Kaden Metheny made his return trip to Morgantown. Metheny scored three points.

Notable scorers for West Virginia were Erik Stevenson (18), Matthews (14) and Kedrian Johnson (11).

WVU forwards Tre Mitchell (foot) and Pat Suemnick (knee) did not dress on Friday night. Both newcomers have missed the preseason scrimmages. Mitchell was previously wearing a walking boot but now has it off.

All proceeds made from the exhibition are going towards the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Endowment Fund.

West Virginia will host Mount St. Mary’s on Monday, Nov. 7 to open up the 2022-23 season at the WVU Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.