HUNTINGTON, Ind. -- WVU Tech men's basketball opened up its 2023-24 campaign with an 88-51 win over Harris-Stowe State University during the Ness Bros. Hall of Fame Classic hosted by Huntington University. The Golden Bears will face the host school, Huntington, tomorrow at 3 p.m. to finish out the classic.

Sophomore Brant Smithers (Williamstown, Ky.) led all scorers after an 8-for-9 effort from beyond the arc towards 24 points. Smithers also had five rebounds and an assist.

Fellow sophomore Thomas Hailey (Monroe, N.C.) pulled down a game-high seven boards to go with 16 points, three assists and two steals.

The Gold and Blue also saw 16 points from freshman Braden Chapman (Beaver, W.Va.) who had a game-best five assists, three rebounds and a block.

Senior Andrew Work (Oak Hill, W.Va.) rounded out the top offensive contributors with 11 points to go with three rebounds, three steals and an assist.

Freshman Liam Craven (Brantford, Ontario, Canada) had eight points while senior Ashton Parker (Rock Hill, S.C.) had six rebounds.

WVU Tech finished 29-for-52 (55.8 percent) from the floor while holding Harris-Stowe State to a 20-for-56 (35.7 percent) effort. The Golden Bears also held the edge under the boards, 36-25.
 

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