Tech notes: Fast start for men's basketball

Nov. 6—The WVU Tech men's basketball team had a productive trip to the Hoosier State.

The Golden Bears opened their season at the Ness Bros. Hall of Fame Classic on the campus of Huntington University. They went 2-0 — including a win over the host Foresters, who were ranked No. 14 in NAIA Preseason Top 25.

It started with an 88-51 win over Harris-Stowe State University (Mo.) on Friday. Tech led 36-29 at halftime then exploded for 52 second-half points on 68 percent shooting, including 10-of-15 (66.7 percent) from 3-point range.

Brant Smithers was 8-of-9 from 3 for a game-high 24 points. Thomas Hailey had 16 points and seven rebounds in his first game since 2022 after missing all of last season with an injury.

Shady Spring graduate Braden Chapman started in his college debut and made 5 of 8 3-pointers, finishing with 16 points while dishing out five assists.

Andrew Work added 11 points.

The next day, Tech took a six-point lead over Huntington and held on for a 92-89 win. The Foresters twice cut their deficit to one in the second half but Tech held them off and increased their lead to as much as nine.

Work had an all-around game for Tech. He scored a game-high 23 points, led Tech with six rebounds and had three steals and six blocks.

Smithers had another big game from the arc, connecting on 7 of 11 3s for 21 points. Chapman started again and hit four 3s en route to 20 points along with five assists.

Hailey scored 10 points.

The Golden Bears (2-0) will travel to NCAA Division I Eastern Kentucky Tuesday for an exhibition. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and the game can be seen on ESPN+.

Their home debut will be Friday at 6:30 p.m. against Carolina University.

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The women's team went to the Cumberlands Classic and split a pair of games.

The Golden Bears jumped to a 27-7 lead after the first quarter and held on for a 60-50 win over Simmons College of Kentucky.

Tech got double-doubles from Leonor Ferreira (16 points, 13 rebounds) and Alva Hedrich (16 points, 14 rebounds). Alexis Sexton finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

The next day, Tech took a 72-55 loss from Milligan.

Hedrich had her third straight double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Her streak started with 17 points and 23 rebounds in Tech's 76-57 win over Bryant and Stratton-Buffalo on Oct. 28.

Sexton and Rylie Allie both scored 12 points for Tech against Milligan.

The Golden Bears (2-2) is off until Nov. 15 when they host Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) at 5:30 p.m.

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The women's soccer team had its season come to an end with a 6-0 win over No. 1 seed in the River States Conference Tournament on Saturday.

After winning one game all of last season, the Golden Bears gave themselves something to build on. A young roster made up of several newcomers led the team to a four-win season.

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Cross country season also came to an end.

The women's team's top finisher was senior Carmen Camino Falcon, who was 11th out of 95 runners with a time of 24:47. She earned second-team all-conference honors.

She was followed in the top five by Shady Spring graduate Jessica York (28:58), Kelsey Huffman (32:38), Woodrow Wilson alumna Madelyn Grimmett (33:34) and McKayla Bartley (34:06).

Tech's top men's finisher was Shady Spring grad Eli Northrop (27:54). The freshman was 46th out of 114 runners.

Behind him were Zaccerie Penka (29:01), Woodrow Wilson's Christian Saffouri (29:10), Mason Cardamone (29:29) and Cade Curfman (29:59).

Saffouri, Camino Falcon, York, Huffman, Grimmet and Bartley were all named to Champions of Character Team.

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The wrestling team got off to a nice start at the Pepsi Patriot Open at the University of the Cumberlands.

Woodrow Wilson graduate Jackson Evans finished first at 184 pounds with a 4-0 day. Oak Hill's Max Underwood went 4-2 for a sixth-place finish at the same weight class.

Also winning for matches for the Golden Bears were Corbyn Cunningham (133), Parker Smith (141) and Andrew Dado and Cameron Mahaffey, both at 157.

Tech will return to action Sunday at the Averett University Open.