Post by cviller on Jan 28, 2009 22:17:23 GMT -5
Garrett Cullen
Morgantown
West Virginia (15-5) jumped out to an early lead over visiting St. John’s (11-9, 2-6 Big East) Wednesday night and never looked backed as they cruised for the 75-52 victory, improving to 4-3 in Big East play.
Finally playing in a conference game without a significant size disadvantage, the Mountaineers were able to drive in the lane and create a lot of easy baskets. On the defensive end, the Mountaineers blocked seven first half shots. The final outcome was never really in doubt as the young Red Storm never sustained any momentum, trailing the entire contest.
It was all West Virginia at the start as St. John’s couldn’t hit a shot, allowing the Mountaineers to push the ball and create fast break opportunities. Through the game’s first four and a half minutes, four Mountaineer layups gave the home team the early 8-0 lead.
A Butler three with 2:28 left in the half was part of a 13-3 West Virginia run to close the half, putting the Mountaineers on top 36-20 at the break.
Neither team could keep control of the basketball in the game’s first 20 minutes, combining for 21 turnovers. Butler led the Mountaineers with 11 points in the first half, hitting three of four three point shots. Forward D.J. Kennedy and guard Quincy Roberts led the Red Storm with five points apiece in the first half.
The second half was more of the same as West Virginia stretched their lead to 49-32 on a Devin Ebanks’ jump shot with just over 11 minutes to go. Back-to-back threes by Ruoff and Butler seemingly put the game out of reach, increasing the Mountaineer lead to 59-34 with just under nine minutes remaining.
West Virginia now has a tough two game road stretch, starting with a Saturday noon game at Louisville.
