First-year WVU Tech women’s head basketball coach Roger Hodge felt all along that his team had the talent to compete with anyone in the River States Conference.
After a slow start to the regular season, Hodge’s trust is now ringing true with the Golden Bears as they stand on the doorstep of the RSC Tournament next week.
Saturday afternoon in front of a big Homecoming crowd on Senior Day, WVU Tech’s well-oiled machine put up 109 points in a 43-point win over Ohio Christian.
“They are buying in. They are practicing hard every day and getting better every day. That is what it takes to transform things,” Hodge said. “Obviously going into tournament time, that has to continue, but I am really proud of how this team has responded.”
Any hopes for an upset by the visitors were put to rest quickly by the Golden Bears who used crisp ball movement and a stifling defensive effort to build a large lead early in the contest.
A corner 3-ball and a floater in the lane by Whittney Justice capped a 9-0 run to start the game.
When the first quarter horn sounded, the Golden Bears were on top 29-6 and cruising.
In the first 10 minutes of the game, Tech out-rebounded the Trailblazers 18-6, committed just one turnover and allowed only two made shots on 14 attempts by Ohio Christian.
“That has been one of the biggest things for us,” Hodge said about his teams defensive effort. “Along with ball security, defense has helped us to get better. Postseason basketball is different. When shots are not falling you have to be able to defend.”
Tech made 45 field goals in the win and held a 58-22 advantage in the paint, scoring numerous times in transition. The Golden Bears out-rebounded the Trailblazers 55-22 for the game and were also potent from deep going 11-for-21 from behind the arc.
“This group doesn’t care who has the stats and they don’t care who gets the credit. They just want to win,” Hodge said. “That is the kind of players we have. I feel like they have that element of trust with each other. They know they have talent all around them and when they give the ball up, good things will happen.”
Brittney Justice led the scoring barrage with 25 points for Tech. Twin sister Whittney scored 20 and Elle Baker had 14. Bri Ball and Alanis Hill added eight points apiece.
Makayla Jones grabbed eight boards, while Alanis Hill and Alyssa Taylor had seven rebounds each. Hill also had six assists along with Emilee Whitt.
WVU Tech now turns its attention to the River States Conference Tournament that starts Wednesday against an opponent still to be determined.
“As a coach, that is definitely what you want,” Hodge said about his team peaking at tournament time. “We will take tomorrow off and then we will have to go to work Monday and get one on the road.”
OCU: 6 17 24 19 – 66
WVUT: 29 23 29 28 – 109
Ohio Christian
Darcy Mitchell 4, Rachel Bolyard 18, Haley Cox 4, Emma Koons 3, Rachel Gillums 21, Madison Winland 3, Nevaeh McClure 4, Reid Dunbar 9. Totals: 25-65 8-11 66.
WVU Tech
Brianna Ball 8, Alanis Hill 8, Alyssa Taylor 11, Brittney Justice 25, Whittney Justice 20, Emilee Whitt 3, Makayla Jones 6, Eugenia Marcelli 6, Julie Boone 2, Elle Baker 14, Leonora Ferreira 6. Totals: 45-81 8-8 109.
3-pointers – OCU: 8 (Bolyard 4, Koons, Winland, Dunbar 2); WVUT: 11 (B. Justice 5, W. Justice 4, Whitt, Taylor).
