The West Virginia women’s basketball team scored 82 points in the paint during Wednesday night’s 102-28 exhibition rout of Division II member Alderson-Broaddus at the WVU Coliseum.
Five Mountaineers scored in double-figures — led by sophomore Crystal Leary’s 17 points — in a “Haunted Hoops” preseason game postponed 24 hours by Hurricane Sandy. The Mountaineers return to the WVU Coliseum for the regular-season opener Nov. 9 against UNC Wilmington.
“I thought our players came out and played hard. I want to thank AB,” coach Mike Carey said. “We were supposed to have Concord here, but they couldn’t come because of the weather, so I would like to thank AB for coming and doing that. Overall, I thought we played hard. We have a lot to work on, a lot of film to watch and game situations to work on.”
Ayana Dunning scored 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while true freshman Jennie Simms contributed 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
Sophomore Akilah Bethel chipped in 11 points and junior Christal Caldwell added 10.
“I see all the freshmen coming around,” Dunning said. “It was a hard transition for me and I think it is a hard transition for everybody coming in from high school to play at the collegiate level — especially at a program like WVU where defense is what we preach. It is what we hang our hats on. With that being the focus, I think it is difficult for the freshmen, but they are learning it.”
WVU shot 57.1 percent (44-77) from the field, while limiting the Battlers to 26.5 percent (9-34).
“We got up the lane, we ran the floor and got some breaks and I was happy with that,” Carey said. “Our freshmen got their first game on the floor and got the jitters out a little bit, so it was good for them to get out on the floor. We got everybody a lot of playing time, so hopefully we will come in tomorrow and work hard.”
The Mountaineers made 32 steals, five by junior Brooke Hampton. True freshman Darius Faulk and Simms grabbed four each.
“I like that (Simms) was being aggressive today,” Dunning said. “She was getting up the lane on defense, which is where it started, getting a lot of steals, which got her going and she was being aggressive and taking it to the basket. I think that is a good thing especially from a freshman. She is not out there playing timid, she is out there playing strong and confident in her game.”
“Tonight was a great experience,” said Simms. “Once I got into the flow of the game, it just eased up for me. We practice here all the time against the practice players and it is just do what you do really.”
The Mountaineers out-rebounded Alderson-Broaddus 37-26. Leary led on the boards with eight rebounds, while sophomore Averee Fields pulled down six.
The Battlers were led by freshman Sydney Shaffer’s seven points.