Getting Defensive
December 20, 2006 09:55 PM | General
December 20, 2006
BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Sometimes a team has to rely on its defense and tonight was one of those nights. West Virginia held The Citadel to 16 first-half points and cruised to a 63-36 victory Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum.
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| Frank Young looks for an open player during West Virginia's 63-36 victory over The Citadel Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks |
The nation’s No. 1-ranked defensive team coming into tonight’s play allowing just 50.9 points per game, The Citadel’s 36 points were an all-time low for a West Virginia Division I opponent at the WVU Coliseum.
The Bulldogs (2-10) shot 29.5 percent for the game, committed 16 turnovers and were out-rebounded 35-28. Mountaineer coach John Beilein is pleased with his team’s efforts on defense, but he still isn’t sure how good a defensive team they are.
“Some of it is a byproduct of the patience on offense,” Beilein said. “We shorten every game just by making sure we get quality shots. We’ve played teams that haven’t shot the ball well.
“I think we’ll find out in Big East play how good our defense is. But it is good to be in this situation,” Beilein said.
It’s also good to have several capable 3-point shooters. Five Mountaineer players made 11 3s for the game led by Frank Young’s four on the way to having a game-high 14 points. Freshman Da’Sean Butler came off the bench to match Young’s 14, going 5 of 7 from the floor and adding four steals and three rebounds.
“There were three freshmen on the court in the first half and I like how they responded,” Beilein said.
Joe Alexander scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 26 minutes of action. Alex Ruoff had 9 points, eight assists and four rebounds. It is the sixth time West Virginia has won by 20 points or more this season.
“We knew coming in they’re an incredibly skilled basketball team,” said Citadel coach Ed Conroy. “It’s hard to explain how well they shoot.”
“I’m proud of our defense again and we continue to play hard no matter who the opponent is,” Beilein said. “I think with this young team (defense) is something we can hang our hat on.”
West Virginia boosts its record to 9-1 with one more non-conference game remaining against Maryland Eastern Shore on Thursday, Dec. 28, before No. 11 UConn arrives in Morgantown to open Big East play on Saturday afternoon at the Coliseum. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
The Mountaineers will practice tomorrow and then will be excused for Christmas break.
