SB Nation Pittsburgh - West Virginia Vs. Missouri State: Gary Browne Leads 'Eers Past Bears 70-68 In OThttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2011-12-22T22:29:59-05:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24207272011-12-22T22:29:59-05:002011-12-22T22:29:59-05:00West Virginia Vs. Missouri State: Mountaineers Hold On For Two Point Overtime Win In Las Vegas
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<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/west-virginia-mountaineers" class="sbn-auto-link">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> edged out the Missouri State Bears for a 70-68 overtime win in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic. It was an evenly matched up-and-down game that was tied at the twenty minute mark and the forty minute mark. The WVU defense, however, would clamp down to hold Missouri State scoreless over the final three plus minutes of overtime. The Bears would score only five points in the extra five minutes, after some crucial missed free throws and an Aaron Brown bucket for WVU would eek out a win for the 'Eers.</p>
<p>Kevin Jones was simply dominant on the inside, finishing with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Jones is among the top ten rebounders in the country, averaging more than 11 boards a game, and he was too much for an overmatched Missouri State frontcourt. WVU outrebounded the Bears by 12, largely due to Jones. The advantage on the glass kept them even with the mid-major foe that shot better than 50% from the floor. </p>
<p>In addition to Jones, Truck Bryant would add 15 points and Brown would give WVU a huge boost with 14, hitting four threes and finishing with the game-winning layup.</p>
<p>At 9-2, WVU turns around tomorrow to face a top ten ranked <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/baylor-bears" class="sbn-auto-link">Baylor Bears</a> team at 9:00 PM in Vegas.</p>
<p><i>For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Mountaineers, visit SB Nation's West Virginia blog, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.smokingmusket.com/">The Smoking Musket</a>.</i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2011/12/22/2656707/west-virginia-vs-missouri-state-recap-las-vegas-classicBrendan Porath2011-12-22T22:24:44-05:002011-12-22T22:24:44-05:00West Virginia Vs. Missouri State: Late Game Heroics From Gary Browne Earn Huggs His 700th Win
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<p>Bob Huggins entered elite territory tonight, getting his 700th win with 70-68 overtime victory against Missouri State, but it was far from pretty. The Mountaineers needed a last second desperation three pointer from freshman guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146469/gary-browne">Gary Browne</a> to get to overtime, and saw a potential game tying lay-up by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123934/nathan-scheer">Nathan Scheer</a> rim out at the buzzer to preserve victory. If there were only one word to describe the victory it would be: lucky. (Runner up word: ugly).</p>
<p>The story of the game was the emergence of Gary Browne as a dynamic part of the Mountaineer scoring offense. His thirteen points all came when they were desperately needed. Despite his miracle heave with a second left, he seemed to be the only Mountaineer who wasn't suckered into taking ill-advised jump shots. Fellow freshman Aaron Brown hit four three pointers, including two at key moments in the second half.</p>
<p>As usual, Kevin Jones had a stellar game, dropping 17 points and hauling in 13 rebounds. His fellow upperclassmen Truck Bryant and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/101439/deniz-kilicli">Deniz Kilicli</a> weren't so lucky. Truck managed to miss far more shots than he made, including a crucial front end of a one and one in overtime that could have delivered the game to the Bears. Kilicli spent the bulk of the second half on the bench after forcing a series of ill-advised deep shots. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124652/kevin-noreen">Kevin Noreen</a> played in his place, but also fell prey to the allure of jacking up jump shots from outside his range. It was a stretch of play in the second half where Kilicli and Noreen missed shots on three consecutive possessions which led to Missouri State baskets and dug the Mountaineers into a deep hole. If it weren't for Gary Browne, the 'Eers would still be looking for a way to get Huggins his 700th.</p>
<p>WVU faces Baylor tomorrow night in Vegas at 9pm.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2011/12/22/2656706/west-virginia-vs-missouri-state-late-game-heroics-from-gary-browneAaron Hawley2011-12-22T09:11:21-05:002011-12-22T09:11:21-05:00West Virginia Vs. Missouri State: 'Eers Face Bears In Vegas
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<p>The Mountaineers square off with the Missouri State Bears in Las Vegas.</p> <p>The Mountaineers are in Las Vegas tonight for the first of two back to back games as part of the Las Vegas Invitational. The LVI bills itself as a "tournament," but it's not. The 'Eers are slated to face Missouri State tonight, and the No. 7-ranked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/baylor-bears">Baylor Bears</a> tomorrow, regardless of the outcome of other games. What are the odds that WVU plays two straight games against teams called "The Bears"? I don't know, but I bet there's money to be won in Vegas if you can find a way to bet on it. Here's what will be key tonight for the Mountaineers:</p>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>Can Truck bounce back?</b> After being absolutely awesome two weeks ago against Miami, Truck Bryant has struggled to find his shot. Back-to-back 4-for-12 outings aren't going to cut it for a player who is counted on to contribute heavily to WVU's point total. As frustrating as it is to Mountaineer fans, as goes Truck, goes this team. He has to be able to put the ball in the hole, but he can't turn the ball over either in the traditional manner or via ill advised shots. Truck needs to stop playing like he's played his entire career at WVU and start playing like a player who understands he controls his team's destiny.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>Can the freshmen reign in Weems?</b> Kevin Jones aside, the WVU's forwards have had some issues so far this season. Missouri State is led by 6-foot-6 swingman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/28171/kyle-weems">Kyle Weems</a>, a rangy and athletic forward who is as good on the boards as he is on the wing. WVU will have a tough time matching up with Weems, and he will probably be the responsibility of freshmen <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146472/keaton-miles">Keaton Miles</a> and Aaron Brown. If the young Mountaineers can keep MSU's senior in check, they should be able to stifle the Bears with their pressure man to man defense. If they can't, Weems could find himself the recipient of more than a few easy put-backs, as WVU has had a hard time boxing out so far this season.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>Can the Turk continue the offensive aggression? </b>It seems to me that sometimes junior forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/101439/deniz-kilicli">Deniz Kilicli</a> forgets how big he is and forgets that once he gets the ball in the post, he can will it into the basket. Kilicli is not the best freelancer on the team and generally has trouble creating his own shot, which is why the WVU offensive plan must be to feed him early and often. This has two desired effects. First, it gets Kilicli rolling early, something he's had trouble with. Second, it takes a bit of the pressure off of Kevin Jones who draws the bulk of the opposing defense's attention. Kilicli has to get aggressive himself, and not worrying about picking up a couple offensive fouls in the process.</span></li>
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<div>Check back to SBNation Pittsburgh for more on the Mountaineers post-game.</div>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/west-virginia-mountaineers/2011/12/22/2654792/west-virginia-vs-missouri-state-eers-face-bears-in-vegasAaron Hawley