Next Game:
UMass
11/8/2024 | 7 p.m.
Nov. 08 (Fri) / 7 p.m.
UMass
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – In an electrifying season opener, West Virginia dominated Robert Morris, leaping out to an early lead and ultimately securing an emphatic 87-59 victory. This game marks the debut of Darian DeVries as head coach for the Mountaineers, and it set a promising tone for the season ahead.
Tucker DeVries, the coach’s son, ignited the offense by scoring the first eight points for West Virginia and ended the match with a remarkable game-high total of 18 points. His contribution was pivotal in establishing the team’s momentum.
In addition to Tucker, other key players included Oklahoma State transfer Javon Small with 15 points and UIC transfer Toby Okani, who contributed 13 points. Freshman Jonathan Powell showed great poise, adding 11 points, while fellow freshman KJ Tenner rounded out the scoring with 10 points.
Amani Hansberry made his presence felt on the boards, narrowly missing a double-double with 9 points and grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds.
West Virginia exhibited impressive shooting prowess, making 33 of their 60 attempts for an impressive shooting percentage of 55%, which included a solid 14 of 34 from beyond the arc. Six Mountaineers showcased their long-range capabilities, with Tucker leading the pack, hitting four 3-pointers out of nine attempts.
This victory was significant not only as a win but as a milestone for DeVries, who previously led Drake to six consecutive 20-win seasons and three NCAA Tournament appearances. He became the 23rd head coach to debut for the Mountaineers and the seventh to do so since the WVU Coliseum first opened its doors back in 1970.
Reflecting on the match, DeVries expressed pride in his team’s focused approach during the game. “I couldn’t be prouder of the start that we had and certainly thankful that we came away with the win tonight. Hopefully, it’s the first of many,” he stated.
Fans in attendance witnessed an aggressive West Virginia defense coupled with sharp shooting, effective ball movement, and solid decision-making. “I loved the way we were sharing it,” DeVries added, emphasizing the importance of player rotations and making the extra pass for open shots.
With a commanding lead of 30-2 with just under 12 minutes remaining in the first half, West Virginia appeared unstoppable. However, the Colonials did manage a brief comeback with a 12-2 run, which was quickly quelled by an 11-0 response from WVU featuring 3-pointers from DeVries, Hansberry, and Powell.
The only hiccup in the game came from a shot clock malfunction, causing a delay at the start of the second half, but it hardly disrupted the Mountaineers’ flow.
In the second half, West Virginia outperformed Robert Morris, scoring 41 points while utilizing their entire roster. With 2:48 remaining and leading by a comfortable margin of 82-56, the Mountaineers emptied their bench, allowing all players to contribute.
On the opposing side, the Colonials managed to score 13 points thanks to Gannon transfer Josh Omojafo, but they struggled with their shooting, ending the game with just 32.4% from the field and committing 14 turnovers, of which 10 occurred in the first half.
Despite their dominance, some aspects of the game might raise concerns, such as the Colonials’ slight edge on the boards with 41-37, including 16 offensive rebounds. DeVries acknowledged the need for improvement in rebounding, stating, “We’ve got to make that a primary focus for us.” The Mountaineers now look ahead to their next challenge, hosting Massachusetts on Friday night, a team they faced as Atlantic 10 rivals last season, where West Virginia suffered a narrow defeat.
“Overall, great first game for us coming out with a group that hasn’t played a lot together in a game-like setting,” DeVries concluded, full of optimism for the future.
UMass kicked off their season with a commanding 103-74 victory over New Hampshire, setting the stage for a competitive match-up.
Tickets for Friday night’s game are available through the Mountaineer Ticket Office and can be purchased by logging on to WVUGAME.com.
**Interview with Coach Darian DeVries Following Season Opener Victory**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Coach DeVries. Congratulations on your first win as head coach of West Virginia! How does it feel to start the season with such an emphatic victory?
**Darian DeVries:** Thank you! It feels fantastic. I’m really proud of the team’s effort and focus tonight. We came out strong, established momentum early, and that was key. It’s just a great way to kick off the season.
**Interviewer:** Your son, Tucker, had an impressive game, scoring 18 points and getting the scoring started right away. What’s it like coaching your son, especially in a high-stakes environment like this?
**Darian DeVries:** It’s a unique experience for sure! I’ve always enjoyed coaching him, and it’s great to see him confident and performing well on the court. He really set the tone for us tonight. But it’s not just about him; we have a talented group, and I’m glad to see them all contributing.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of contributions, several players like Javon Small and Amani Hansberry stepped up too. What did you think of the team’s overall performance?
**Darian DeVries:** I was thrilled with the collective effort. We had great shooting, effective ball movement, and our defense was aggressive, which really set us apart. We’ve been emphasizing sharing the ball, and it was great to see that translate into our gameplay.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned being thankful for the win. As the 23rd head coach of the Mountaineers, how does this milestone feel for you personally?
**Darian DeVries:** It’s humbling. Coaching at this level has its challenges, and I’m honored to be part of the storied history of West Virginia basketball. This win is just the beginning, and I hope it sets the tone for what we aim to achieve this season.
**Interviewer:** What are you focusing on as you prepare for your next game against UMass?
**Darian DeVries:** We’ll review the tape, highlight areas where we can improve, and keep building on our strengths. Each game is an opportunity to grow and learn, and we want to keep this momentum going into UMass.
**Interviewer:** Coach, thank you for your time and insights. Best of luck for the rest of the season!
**Darian DeVries:** Thank you! I appreciate it, and we’re excited for what lies ahead.
