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WVSU vs WVWC PREVIEW 25

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW: WVSU vs. WV Wesleyan

1/17/2025 6:00:00 PM

By: Bryan Shepherd, Sports Information Director

Game Preview: West Virginia State vs. West Virginia Wesleyan

Date/Time: January 20, 2025, at 5:30 PM (Rescheduled from January 18)
Location: Walker Convocation Center, Institute, WV
Game Type: Mountain East Women's Basketball

Team Records and Standings

  • West Virginia State (WVSU): 7-7 overall, 3-5 in the Mountain East Conference (MEC), 8th in conference standings.
  • West Virginia Wesleyan (WVWC): 9-4 overall, 5-3 in MEC, 3rd in conference standings.

Team Insights

West Virginia State (WVSU)

  • Key Players:
    • ZZ Russell: 11.6 points per game (PPG), 2.9 rebounds per game (RPG), .800 free-throw percentage (FT%).
    • Emyah Fortenberry: 10.6 PPG, 11.1 RPG, team-leading 16 blocks this season.
    • Shanley Woods: 10.3 PPG, 40 three-pointers made at a .377 shooting percentage.
  • Strengths:
    • Dominance on the boards, averaging 46.9 rebounds per game (RPG).
    • Balanced scoring contributions from multiple players.
  • Weaknesses:
    • High turnover rate (22.1 per game).
    • Three-point shooting struggles (.289 as a team).

West Virginia Wesleyan (WVWC)

  • Key Players:
    • Emma Witt: Leading scorer with 20.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and .484 field goal percentage (FG%).
    • Sydney Baird: 15.9 PPG, 3.0 assists per game (APG), and a stellar .909 FT%.
    • Lojain Elfatairy: 11.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and a .397 three-point shooting percentage.
  • Strengths:
    • Efficient shooting as a team (.450 FG%, .356 3P%).
    • Effective free-throw shooting (.789 FT%).
  • Weaknesses:
    • Struggles on the boards, averaging only 33.5 RPG.
    • Turnover issues (16.1 per game).

Recent Performance

WVSU Last 5 Games

  1. January 15, 2025: WVSU defeated Davis & Elkins 80-67.
  2. January 13, 2025: WVSU lost to Virginia State 85-90.
  3. January 11, 2025: WVSU lost to Point Park 65-76.
  4. January 8, 2025: WVSU defeated Salem (WV) 83-61.
  5. January 2, 2025: WVSU lost to Pitt.-Johnstown 80-81.

WVWC Last 5 Games

  1. January 15, 2025: WVWC lost to Charleston (WV) 63-70.
  2. January 11, 2025: WVWC lost to Glenville State 84-99.
  3. January 9, 2025: WVWC lost to Concord 73-74.
  4. December 14, 2024: WVWC defeated Salem (WV) 69-54.
  5. December 11, 2024: WVWC defeated Point Park 62-48.

Head-to-Head Matchup

  • Historical Series:
    • WVSU leads the all-time series 21-7.
    • Last meeting: WVSU defeated WVWC 76-71 on February 24, 2024.
    • WVSU is on a six-game winning streak against WVWC.
  • Largest Margin of Victory: WVSU won 112-58 on February 11, 2023.
  • Smallest Margin of Victory: WVSU won 55-54 on January 13, 2018.

Coaching Matchup

  • WVSU Head Coach: Charles Marshall
    • 9th season at WVSU with a record of 122-117 (.510).
    • Career record: 183-146 (.556).
    • Led WVSU to a 22-7 record in the 2022-23 season.
  • WVWC Head Coach: Brett Vincent
    • 4th season at WVWC with a record of 27-63 (.300).
    • Achieved WVWC's best season under his tenure so far with a 9-4 record in 2024-25.

Game Outlook

Both teams come into this game with contrasting styles. WVSU will look to capitalize on their rebounding dominance and balanced scoring attack, while WVWC will rely on their efficient shooting and standout performances from Emma Witt and Sydney Baird. With WVSU holding a strong historical edge in the matchup, this game promises to be a competitive conference clash.

Don't miss the action this Saturday at the Walker Convocation Center!

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