Summersville – Coming off a River States Conference win over Oakland City University on Thursday, the WVU Tech women’s basketball team looked to make it two in row Saturday.
Standing in the way of the Golden Bears was Brescia University which desperately needed a conference win.
However, the Tech women were not in a sympathetic mood when the two teams met inside the Summersville Arena and Convention Center.
Fighting off a slow start, WVU Tech rolled past the Bearcats 82-49 to raise its RSC record to 6-3 and drop Brescia to 2-3.
“Eventually is the right word,” WVU Tech head coach Roger Hodge said. “We were very uneven early in the game. “(Brescia) kinda had a difficult style offensively. They play five guards and we have two bigs, so it took us a little while to adjust to it. I thought our kids just kept digging at it though. I am proud of them and happy with the win.”
The Golden Bears trailed just once in the game at 12-10 and led 19-15 after the first quarter. However, careless turnovers plagued them. With 3:30 to play until halftime, Brescia trailed by just five points.
Eight points from Whittney Justice and two from sister Brittney Justice gave Tech the boost it needed and made it a 13-point game at the break.
“We had 12 turnovers in the first half and that is what kept them in the game for a long time. That has been an on-going issue for us. If we are going to get where we want to go, we have to continue to improve in that area,” Hodge said.
The former Summers County scoring duo combined for the final 17 points of the quarter for the Golden Bears.
“It felt like old times and it was great, but I am just glad we got the win today,” Brittney Justice said.
Brescia trimmed the lead inside double digits early in the third period, but WVU Tech hit its stride midway through the quarter.
The Golden Bears ran off 16 straight points for a 60-35 lead with 10 minutes to play.
“We kinda did the same thing the other night. We seemed to sleep-walk through about two-and-a half quarters before we finally woke up,” Hodge said. “That is another thing on the concentration aspect. We have to play a full 40 minutes and not have these lulls all the time, especially in the tournament.”
With the game well in hand, the drama turned to Brittney Justice who dropped in a 3-pointer for her 23rd point of the night. It also put her over 2,000 points for her career.
Brittney Justice scores career point 2,000 fittingly with a 3…..@WVUTech_WBB #wvutech pic.twitter.com/1CNSTGD3fw
— Rusty Udy (@rusman1981) January 15, 2022
“There is not a more deserving kid. She is obviously very talented, but she has a great personality and is a great leader also,” Hodge said. “I am just glad I got to be around her this season and witness the things that she is going to accomplish.”
Justice handed the credit to her teammates of the milestone accomplishment.
“It was so unexpected. I got gifted this extra year and it just came to me. I am grateful for that and I just want to thank all my teammates for helping me get this far,” Justice said. “I have great teammates that look for me and help me get my shots. I couldn’t do any thing without them.”
Brittney Justice finished with 25 points and seven rebounds. Whittney added 12, while Brianna Ball had a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
WVU Tech held a 58-31 rebounding advantage and had just five turnovers in the second half.
The Golden Bears (8-12) travel to Alice Lloyd (Ky.) Thursday for another RSC clash at 5:30 p.m.
BU: 15 12 8 14 – 49
WVUT: 19 21 20 22 – 82
Brescia University
Jacqueline Jackson 12, Alecea Homer 11, Riley Collins 8, Lindsey Peyton 5, Ella White 5, Hallie Fisher 4, Jocelyn Cox 4. Totals: 21-68 4-6 49.
WVU Tech
Brittney Justice 25, Whittney Justice 12, Makayla King 6, Elle Baker 6, Alyssa Taylor 5, Brianna Ball 11, Emilee Whitt 6, Leonor Ferreira 4, Elysia Perez 3, Eugenia Marcelli 2, Madison Stookey 2. Totals: 28-67 18-22 82.
3-pointers – BU: 3 (Homer, White, Cox); WVUT: 8 (B. Justice 5, W. Justice, Taylor, Perez).