MONTGOMERY, West Virginia — A put back jumper by Indiana University East's Parker Salinas with 12 seconds left in regulation was the deciding factor in Tuesday's KIAC contest as WVU Tech men's basketball fell 66-65 to the Red Wolves in the Baisi Athletic Center. The Golden Bears are now 13-7, 5-2 (KIAC) this season while IU East improves to 13-8, 7-0 (KIAC).
During the first half of play, there were five lead changes and two tied scores and the Gold and Blue entered the locker room trailing 34-33. Tech grabbed the quick lead in the first 30 seconds of the final half off a jumper good by sophomore
Ryan Atkins and didn't let go of that advantage until the Red Wolves grabbed the victory with just seconds left.
Tech was led by Atkins who posted a game-high 29 points on 11-for-21 shooting from the field towards his double-double effort that included ten rebounds. Junior
Paul Stone also marked a double-double by pouring in 19 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.
On the boards, junior
Patrick Gnagbo had 11 to go with five points while fellow classmate
Hunter Moles pulled down five.
As a team, Tech shot 35.4 percent (23-for-65) from the field, 25.0 percent (2-for-8) from three-point territory and 54.8 percent (17-for-31) from the bonus.
IU East was paced by Vasha Davis and Salinas who scored 15 points each.
The Golden Bears will look to continue KIAC play when they host Carlow University Saturday afternoon in the Baisi Athletic Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.