MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Missed shots and opportunities were a theme throughout the annual Gold-Blue scrimmage for West Virginia’s men’s basketball team Friday, while three players were not in action at the Coliseum.
The Gold was ultimately victorious by defeating Blue, 37-31, over a pair of 12-minute halves in an exhibition that did not feature Emmitt Matthews, Texas transfer Tre Mitchell or newcomer Pat Suemnick.
The two teams combined to shoot 39 percent, making 28-of-72 shots from the field, including 8 for 27 from 3-point range.
Scoring was tough to come by over the first 12 minutes and Gold went into the break leading 13-6. The two teams shot 7 of 24 from the field in the opening half, before increasing their offensive productivity in the second session
Mohamed Wague and Jamel King led the way for the Gold, combining for 22 of the team’s 37 points on 10-for-15 shooting from the field. The 6-foot-10, 225-pound Wague is one of nine new additions to the Mountaineers’ roster this season and the sophomore is making a major leap after previously playing at Harcum College.
Wague made 6-of-8 shots and led all players with eight rebounds, while adding two blocks.
Six of King’s 10 points came off two 3s.
Guard Kedrian Johnson, the highest returning scorer from last season, led the charge for the Blue. Johnson led all scorers with 14-points, making two triples among his five field goals as well as two free throws.
Another returner — James Okonkwo — scored eight points for Gold, which also featured guards Joe Toussaint and Erik Stevenson, though the two transfer guards with Power 5 Conference experience combined for only seven points on 3-of-15 shooting. Toussaint, who previously played at Iowa, did have five assists with only one turnover.
Along with Kedrian Johnson, the Blue team featured Josiah Harris, Jimmy Bell, Kobe Johnson, Seth Wilson and Josiah Davis.