No. 13/15 WVU Downs CCSU to Open Season

Friday, November 10

Morgantown, W.Va.

7:00 p.m.

West Virginia University

1-0

102

Central Connecticut State

0-1

CCSU

West Virginia

102

November 10, 2017 10:12 PM | Women's Basketball

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By: Ashley Bailey/Joe Mitchin

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 13/15 West Virginia University women's basketball team opened the 2017-18 campaign in a big way, overpowering Central Connecticut State, 102-52, behind a career-high 30 points by senior forward Teana Muldrow on Friday night at the WVU Coliseum.

The defending Big 12 Tournament champion Mountaineers never trailed in the 50-point victory over the Blue Devils.

Muldrow shot 11-of-19 from the field, to go along with a career-best 12 rebounds in 26 minutes. The East Orange, New Jersey, native registered 20 of her 30 points in the first half.

Three other Mountaineers reached double figures in scoring, including junior guard Naomi Davenport's 17 points, 14 from senior forward Kristina King and 13 from junior guard Katrina Pardee.

WVU shot 41-of-77 from the floor, good for 53 percent on the night. The Mountaineers outrebounded the Blue Devils, 60-22. West Virginia forced 22 Central Connecticut State turnovers, en route to dominating the points-off-turnovers category, 32-2.

Freshman guard Ashley Jones dished out a team-leading nine assists for the Mountaineers, who finished with 21 as a team in the win.

"I saw some good things; I saw a lot of things we still need to work on," WVU coach Mike Carey said." For the most part, especially the first half, I thought we took care of the basketball. The second half, man, that last group that was in there was just throwing it all over the place, turning it over, no control. Defensively, a lot of breakdowns. (We) played some possessions at two-three (zone). The same people that make the breakdowns in man-to-man made the breakdowns in the two-three (zone). (It was) just a lack of concentration and talking. We have to develop another five. Either (Krystaline) McCune or Makayla (Stanley), one has to step up. Someone has to take the next step because we need to develop another five until we get Theresa (Ekhelar) eligible in the middle of December. Those are things we have to find out."

The Mountaineers (1-0) got off to a strong start on the glass, out boarding Central Connecticut State (0-1) 15-7 in the opening period. WVU tallied eight offensive rebounds in the first 10 minutes and finished with 25 for the game.

WVU scored the first five points of the game and jumped out to an early 14-5 lead when Pardee swished a 3-pointer at the 5:58 mark of the first period. The Mountaineers took their first double-digit lead of the contest moments later when freshman forward Destiny Harden recorded a steal and easy layup to make it 16-5.

The Mountaineers closed the first on a 10-0 run, stretching their lead to 30-13, thanks to buckets by senior guard Chania Ray, King, Pardee and Davenport.

Then, the West Virginia defense turned it up a notch. The Mountaineers allowed just three second-period field goals to the Blue Devils. WVU even held CCSU without a basket for over seven minutes during a stretch in the second frame, while continuing to extend its lead.

Offensively, Muldrow led the Mountaineers with 13 points in the second period alone, including back-to-back buckets with 3:35 to go before the half to give WVU a 47-20 advantage.

WVU went on to make seven consecutive shots at one point in the period, extending its lead to 53-22 with 1:59 before the break. In all, the Mountaineers outscored the Blue Devils, 19-7, to close the half – and 27-13 in the period – to take a 57-26 lead into the locker room.

The Mountaineers opened the second half on another 10-0 run, bumping their lead to 67-26, thanks to a pair of buckets by King, as well as lay-ups by Muldrow and Davenport.

Davenport, who was one of six players making their Mountaineer debut on Friday, finished with 11 rebounds and a team-leading five steals to go along with her 17 points.

WVU went on to outscore the Blue Devils, 24-14, in the third period, taking an 80-41 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Later on, the Mountaineers' lead grew to as many as 52 as nine players reached the scoring column. With the win, WVU improved to 30-15 all-time in season openers.

The Mountaineers are back in action when they host Sacramento State on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the WVU Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET.

Notes: West Virginia opened its 45th season on Friday night … the Mountaineers are 30-15 all-time in season openers and have won 11 of the last 12 games to open a new season … coach Mike Carey holds a 14-3 record in season openers … the Mountaineers are 35-10 in home openers … WVU holds a 2-0 all-time record against Central Connecticut State … the Mountaineers previously topped the Blue Devils, 63-37, in 2011 … Teana Muldrow finished with a career-high 30 points and 12 rebounds, her 11th career double-double … Kristina King finished with 14 points, one off her career high of 15 points … Katrina Pardee's seven rebounds are a new career high … Naomi Davenport's five steals are the most since Chania Ray and Tynice Martin each recorded six steals on Dec. 29, 2016 at TCU … six Mountaineers, including Davenport, redshirt freshman Nia Staples, Krystaline McCune and true freshmen Ashley Jones, Destiny Harden and Makayla Stanley made their WVU debuts on Friday … WVU's 102 points became the 22nd time it has reached triple figures in a game and the first time at the WVU Coliseum since 2014 … it's also the most points the Mountaineers have scored since Dec. 17, 2016 vs. Longwood (107) … WVU's 25 offensive rebounds are the most since Dec. 2, 2015 vs. Morehead State (25) … WVU's 60 total rebounds as a team are the most since Nov. 12, 2016 vs. Charleston Southern (60).