INSTITUTE, W. VA. -- West Virginia State Men's Basketball wrapped up their opening weekend victoriously, downing Shaw University 93-82 Saturday in the finale of the Earl Lloyd Classic sponsored by Embassy Suites at the Walker Convocation Center.
The Yellow Jackets move to 2-0 on the young season, and were led by sophomore Anthony Pittman's 22 points. The sophomore also notched seven rebounds, a pair of blocks, and three steals. Graduate student Glen Abram delivered another solid performance, tallying 21 points, and fellow grad student Jeremiah Moore registered a game-high 10 boards, finishing with 14 points and six assists.
State found 21 points from its bench, including 14 from transfer Ernest Jenkins.
The first half saw the two squads trading points and leads, with the Bears building a six-point lead with just under six minutes in the frame at 37-31. A Bradlee Lewis layup in the paint brought the Yellow Jackets to within four, and then a jumper and a three from Abram brought the score to 39-38.
In the same fashion as their Friday contest, State surged in the final two minutes of the half. A defensive rebound from Pittman sent Lewis on a fast break and in for a dunk, his second in as many games, and put the Yellow Jackets ahead 40-39.
A pair of lay-ins from Abram and Moore brought State to 44-41, and State entered halftime with a five-point cushion at 48-43. The team shot 60% from the floor during the half and was 8-for-11 from the charity stripe.
The Yellow Jackets returned with momentum and registered a 14-0 run over three minutes of play, where Pittman netted three treys and scored 10 total points as State went up 68-50 with 14 minutes left to play.
Moore got in on the dunk action, pushing a flush in the paint on an assist from freshman Dwaine Jones, to bring the score to 73-61. State continued to carry a double-digit lead for nearly the next six minutes.
The Bears came within seven at 87-80, but a tip in by Moore and a pair of free throws from Pittman followed by two from Jenkins sealed the victory for State at 93-82.
The Yellow Jackets finished at a 50% shooting percentage and finished 40% from deep.
Lewis finished with 14 points and was a perfect 4-for-4 at the free throw line.
UP NEXT
WVSU returns to action Wednesday, heading to Millersville, Pa., to face Millersville University with a 7:30 p.m. tip. Live stats and video stream will be available.
