WVU Basketball Blazes Past Wheeling in Final Exhibition Game

WVU basketball earned a blowout win thanks to an explosive second half in an exhibition matchup against Wheeling at Hope Coliseum Wednesday.

WVU made its presence known on defense to start the game, as senior guard Finley Bizjack forced a turnover off a tipped pass on the opening possession. Freshman guard Miles Sadler drove to the lane and dumped a pass to sophomore center Mouhamed Sylla for the night’s opening points.

Wheeling took a 4-2 lead, but WVU scored there next 13 points with a spark provided by junior guard Joson Sanon, who hit three straight three-pointers in the run.

WVU’s offense had it struggles in the first half as well, with an eight minute, 14 second field goal drought in the final 10 minutes of the half. WVU managed to score 11 points from the free throw line over that stretch.

The Mountaineers ended the half with a five-point swing including a three by Bizjack and a layup from Sadler. WVU took a 45-28 lead to halftime, as Sanon led with nine points from his hot streak to open the game.

Senior forward Brenen Lorient slammed a dunk off a lob from Sadler to open the second half. The Mountaineers kept attacking the paint with three layups added within three minutes.

The first three of the second half came from Miles Sadler, who followed a layup from Sylla to kick off a 10-0 run.

As the lead continued to swell for WVU, Sadler and Sanon brought the WVU crowd to its feet with back-to-back-dunks. Junior guard Marin Somerville made a three to double up Wheeling at 80-40 with 7:25 remaining.

WVU rounded out the night with a final score of 98-55.

Sadler led WVU in scoring with 15 while Bizjack trailed with 14. Sylla, Sanon and freshman guard Keonte Greybear all added 11.

WVU will take the court again for its regular season opener against Niagara at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2 at Hope Coliseum.

Find more coverage of WVU basketball at WV Sports Now.