January 16, 2010

RedStorm lose at WVU Tech

Montgomery, Wv. --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm men's basketball team battled hard but fell short in trying to pick up their first ever Mid-South Conference victory on Saturday at the Baisi Center at WVU Tech.  Trailing by 15 points midway through the second half, Rio fought back to have a chance to tie or win at the buzzer, only to lose 82-80.

Rio Grande (5-13, 0-2 MSC) also remained winless on the road this season (0-6). The RedStorm have now lost six consecutive games. Three-point shooting kept the RedStorm in the game early, but they went cold and fell behind by 10 points at the half (43-33).

WVU Tech (12-5, 2-0 MSC) was able to keep the RedStorm at arm's length for the majority of the second half and was on the verge of putting the game away when they built the lead to 15 points at 50-35. Rio was bound and determined to be heard from and they clawed back to two points at 56-54 only to see the Golden Bears jump the lead back to the 7-8 point range. 

WVU Tech kept the door open by failing at the free throw line down the stretch. Rio had one final chance, down 82-80 with 0.7 seconds left. A desperation game-winning three-point attempt by senior guard P.J. Rase (Wheelersburg, OH) caromed off the top of the backboard.

Rio Grande sophomore Bud Teer (Cleveland, OH) collected his 11^th double-double of the season with a monster game of 26 points and 18 rebounds. He went 10-for-10 from the free throw line in the game. Rase produced 15 points (12 in the second half) and sophomore point guard Brad Cubbie (Dayton, OH) chipped in 10 points and dished out four assists.   Freshman forward Daniel Marti (Valencia, Spain) was also on the boards as he pulled down nine rebounds in helping Rio Grande to a 51-41 advantage on the glass. 

WVU Tech placed three players in double figures led by Robby Marshall with 26 points. Marshall also pulled down seven rebounds and recorded four blocked shots. Rickey Young added 17 points, pulled down eight boards and also blocked four shots while Darryl Slack notched 17 points.

Rio Grande will shoot for the first MSC win next Thursday (January 21) when it plays host to St. Catharine's. It will be the first meeting ever between the two schools in men's basketball. Tip-off is set for approximately 8 p.m. at the Newt Oliver Arena.

Stretch Internet will provide play-by-play coverage beginning at 7:45 p.m. following the women's game.