CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Morgantown separated itself from Riverside with a dominant second quarter and hardly slowed down the rest of the way, shooting 61 percent with 30 field goals in a 73-58 victory at the Charleston Coliseum.
“We talk execution all the time. We’re not very good when we take quick shots or bad threes,” Mohigans’ coach Dave Tallman said. “I don’t think we took a bad three tonight. We shared the ball, got paint touches and really played as one unit.”
The result allows the No. 2 Mohigans (21-2) to advance to a Friday semifinal against No. 3 Spring Mills.
Making its first state tournament appearance in 24 years, No. 7 Riverside (13-11) overcame an early six-point deficit to pull even at 15 through one quarter when Auric Booker made a three-pointer with time winding down.
The Warriors made 5-of-9 field-goal attempts and Rocco Terry was 4 for 4 on free throws, while Max Frey (7) and Waylon Colistra combined for all but two MHS points.
“The first quarter, we came out and really did what we planned to do,” Riverside coach Jacob Billanti said.
In the second quarter, however, it was all Morgantown, which got two three-pointers from Camden Kellogg for a six-point lead that grew to double figures for the first time at the 5:09 mark when Colistra scored inside.
“I have confidence in my shot-making ability and I just have to stay ready,” Kellogg said.
The Mohigans’ execution and ability to consistently attempt high percentage shots led to a dominant frame that featured all 25 points from Colistra, Frey, Kellogg or Marcus Goins as the team shot 10 for 13 over that 8-minute stretch to gain a 40-24 halftime lead.
“We were a little surprised to see Morgantown didn’t press,” Billanti said.
Colistra went to halftime with 13 points and scored an additional 11 in a third quarter that saw Tallman’s team continue with its consistent scoring behind 8-for-13 shooting.
“I feel extremely comfortable,” Colistra said. “I’ve been here for four years and a part of two state championships.”
Josh Brock made all four of his shots in addition to three free throws to account for 11 of the Warriors’ 17 points as RHS trailed 59-41 after three.
The Warriors got no closer than 14 in the fourth, though Brock continued to lead the way offensively and matched Terry for team-high scoring honors with 20 points on 8-for-8 shooting.
Colistra led all scorers with 32 points and did so while missing four of 18 shots. He also added eight rebounds — two shy of the Riverside team total as Morgantown dominated the glass for a 32-10 advantage.
“I’m super proud of our rebounding. You win here with defense and rebounding and winning the games within the game,” Tallman said.
Frey scored 19 in the win.
The Warriors shot 21 for 38 but did not record an offensive rebound.
“It’s hard for me to yell at our guys for not boxing out tonight,” Tallman said. “That’s perfection on the defensive glass.”