The WVU Tech men’s basketball team returns to the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center Tuesday night after nearly a month on the road.
The Golden Bears are currently 8-2 and riding a five-game win streak which includes two tournament wins over the weekend at NAIA The Show in Kingsport, TN.
“We are plying well right now. I think this weekend was huge. Beating Rio (Grande) was obviously big and then showing up again, against Southeastern, which I feel like was our biggest win of the season, was huge,” WVU Tech head coach James Long said. “Normally you have a drop-off after an emotional road rivalry game, but these guys really showed up.”
After defeating highly touted Southeastern University 76-75 Saturday, WVU Tech dispatched Central Baptist College, 80-60 Sunday.
“We didn’t really play well Sunday, but we beat a team that has three Div. I transfers by 20,” Long said. “We just have to keep it going. That is the tough part because one little slip can compound.”
Former Oak Hill standout, Andrew Work was on fire in both games, especially Saturday where he scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Work knocked down two free-throws with eight seconds left in the contest to lift Tech to the win.
“Andrew is probably the best kept secret in the country. He is the toughest, most coachable kid I have ever been around,” Long said. “He gives you everything he has every night and we are so lucky to coach him everyday. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”
Tamon Scruggs added 21 points and had nine rebounds in the win, while Keondre’ King added 11 and Gunner Short scored 10 points. Overall the Golden Bears were 22-29 from the line.
“You know what you are always going to get with Tamon on the offensive end and he has really gotten better defensively,” Long said. “We just need him to be as consistent as he can on both ends of the floor. He is nationally respected now. I have always thought he was one of the best players in the country.”
Short scored 19 Sunday to lead WVU Tech, while Work added 16. Scruggs and Juvante’ Hayes had 10 apiece.
“Gunner came from Rio and was well established in the league. He had 31 on us when he came to Beckley and shut it down a game or two after. He was playing injured and had 31 on us,” Long said. “He hadn’t played in about a year-and-a half, but he is starting to get his legs under him. He is a competitor and he can do it.”
The weekend sweep comes after the Golden Bears throttled Rio Grande on the road last Tuesday by 33 points for their third consecutive River States Conference win.
“We had a great game plan and our guys were just ready to go. A lot of times when you are jacked up for a conference rival on the road, you come out hot and you have a drop off,” Long said. “The guys just stayed laser focused the entire time.”
WVU Tech also earned double-digit wins over conference foes, Point Park University and Carlow University prior to the win over the RedStorm.
Tuesday’s opponent is Ohio Valley University who has struggled to an 0-6 start. The Fighting Scots only RSC game so far was a two-point loss at home to Indiana University East.
“They have played a really hard schedule. They have played Div. II’s, three Mid-South teams and IU-East who is notoriously one of the best teams in our league,” Long explained. “They were winning and East hit a 3 to win it on the last possession.”
Sophomore guard, Andre Leavell leads Ohio Valley at just over 21 points per game, while senior Parker Black is scoring 11 points per game.
“I think they are pretty good and they are a different matchup for us. I love their point guard and they have a couple of guys that can do some really good things,” Long said. “They will press you, gamble and speed things up. It is a tricky matchup. It will be up and down the floor.”
Prior to the men’s game, the WVU Tech women, who are 2-7, will look to snap a three-game slide when it also hosts Ohio Valley University.
The good news for the ladies is that both wins have come against conference foes with only one RSC setback so far.
Brittney Justice leads the Golden Bears at just under 14 points per game, while sister Whittney Justice and Brianna Ball are scoring just over 11 points per night.
The ladies from Ohio Valley are 0-2 on the season and have not played in 10 days heading into Tuesday’s game.
Freshman Sparkle Lee leads the Fighting Scots scoring 18 points per game, followed by sophomore guard, Marina Garcia who averages 17.5 points per game.
The women tip Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men at 7:30 p.m.
