MONTGOMERY, West Virginia -- WVU Tech men's basketball came away with an 85-81 win over No. 10 Indiana University East Saturday afternoon in the River States Conference Game of the Week. In a game with seven tied scores and six lead changes, Tech fought to earn their fourth consecutive win.
The Golden Bears boost their record to 8-4, 3-1 (RSC) while the Red Wolves now hold a record of 11-4, 3-1 (RSC).
IU East had their largest lead, eight points, with 7:28 left to play when the Golden Bears went on a 12-4 run to get on top, 71-70, off a made three-pointer by junior
Hunter Moles. IU East's freshman Jaylen McKay answered back with a three of his own and that was the last lead the Red Wolves had (73-71) with 4:09 left on the clock. Tech finished the game on a 14-8 run over IU East to hold on for their second RSC win in as many games.
Junior
Ryan Atkins has combined for 73 points in Tech's last two contests including 32 to lead all scorers against IU East and 41 in the win over Ohio Christian University (December 15) for a career-high. Atkins also posted a team-high four assists to go with six rebounds and a steal.
Fellow classmate
Elisha Boone earned his third double-double of the season putting up 17 points for the Gold and Blue while pulling down ten boards. Freshman
Junior Arrey rounded out Tech's top offensive contributors with ten points.
Senior
Patrick Gnagbo and junior
Michael Scott had six rebounds each in the win while junior
Kievonn Banks finished with nine points.
IU East was led by sophomore Nate Niehoff on offense who finished 7-for-14 from the field towards his 16 points while fellow classmate Aaron Thomas led the game with 11 rebounds.
The team shot 49.1 percent (26-for-53) from the field and 81.1 percent (30-for-37) from the free throw line. The Red Wolves finished with 50.8 percent (30-for-59) shooting from the floor and 72.2 percent (13-for-18) from the foul line. Tech held the advantage in rebounds (37-29) and points off turnovers (11-9).
Up next, the Golden Bears will face Grace College in the Baisi Athletic Center Tuesday, December 20. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. in Montgomery, West Virginia
