February 6, 2010

RedStorm lose at home to WVU Tech

Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm men's basketball team set out to put an end to an 11-game losing streak. They set out pick up their first victory in 2010 and in the Mid-South Conference on Saturday afternoon at the Newt Oliver Arena. Things started well for Rio, but in the end, it was another defeat as WVU Tech got past the RedStorm by a 108-89 score.

Rio Grande (5-19, 0-8 MSC) played well early. After trailing 8-4, the RedStorm went on a 10-0 run to lead 14-8 and led for the majority of the first half. The lead swelled to 11 points at 33-22 and all those things that Rio had aimed for looked to be in sight. 

But, West Virginia Tech (13-10, 3-5 MSC) was a veteran team and from that point on went to work and closed the gap a number of times only to see to Rio fend them off.

The Golden Bears went on a 15-2 run in the waning moments of the first half to take a 44-41 lead. A lead they would never relinquish.

WVU Tech led 51-46 at halftime. 

Rio tied the game at 51-51, scoring the first five points of the second half, but then went on a dry spell that cost them dearly. WVU Tech scored nine unanswered points to lead 60-51 to bring the game under control.

The deficit for Rio Grande would get as deep as 22 points (98-76) in the second half. 

The RedStorm wasted tremendous outputs from their two shooting guards, Doug Campbell and P.J. Rase. Campbell, a junior from Salisbury, NC, knocked down seven trifectas to score a career-best 26 points. Rase, a senior from Wheelersburg, OH, added 20 points.

The duo of Campbell and Rase helped Rio Grande to 51.7 percent shooting (15-of-29) from beyond the three-point arc. 

Sophomore point guard Brad Cubbie (Dayton, OH) tossed in 10 points and freshman forward Daniel Marti (Valencia, Spain) produced double figures for the second consecutive game, as he chipped in with 10 points off the bench. 

WVU Tech (13-10, 3-5 MSC) snapped a five-game losing streak of its own with the victory. The Golden Bears also sweep the season series from Rio Grande.

All five starters scored in double figures for WVU Tech, led by Robby Marshall with, a game-high, 28 points. Darryl Slack added 17 points (11 in the second half) while Rickey Young narrowly missed a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds. Roi Buchbinder tossed in 15 points and Zack Thomsen chipped in with 12 points to go along with, a game-high, seven assists.

Nicholas Kjaerholt scored 10 points off the bench.

Rio Grande is now 4-8 at home this season.

Rio will step out of conference with an exhibition game versus the Marshall Thundering Herd on Tuesday night for the beginning of a three-game week. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. from the Cam Henderson Center. 

Stretch Internet will provide play-by-play coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m.