The Golden Bears Men’s Basketball team opened their 2009 season with a home victory Sunday in the Neil Baisi Athletic Center. Tech, looking to build on their break out season of 2008/09 where they went 20-11 and posted major victories over nationally ranked powers like Mountain State and the University of the Cumberlands, handily defeated the visiting Eagles from Maryland Bible. The last meeting between these two teams ended with a 75-66 decision in favor of WVU Tech.

The Eagles kept themselves in the game early with some lights out shooting from behind the arc, converting 5 of 9 long range bombs for 56%. Maryland Bible shot just 30% from the field in the first half compared to Tech’s 40% shooting from the field. WVU Tech was able to take advantage of 8 Maryland Bible’s miscues which led to 8 of the Golden Bears’ 31 first half points.

But that was as close as Maryland Bible would come as WVU Tech opened the game up in the second half of play, scoring 42 points on 44% shooting (42% for the game) thanks in part to forcing the Eagles into 16 second half turnovers. The Golden Bears also hit the offensive boards hard in the second half, resulting in 25 second chance points on the day. Playing a large role in the victory for the Golden Bears was the 27 point contribution from their bench to help secure their first win of the season.

Tech was paced by senior, Darryl Slack’s (Atlanta, GA) 14 point, 4 steal performance. Senior Robby Marshall (Syracuse, NY) turned in a solid game for the Golden Bears, scoring 13 points and pulling down 7 boards, 4 of those on the offensive end, before fouling out in the second half. Senior point guard, Zach Thomsen (S. New Berlin, NY), also contributed 11 quiet points while dishing out 2 assists while junior Russell Allen (Paris, KY) contributed 11 points and 2 blocks in a winning effort. Sophomore, Rickey Young (Atlanta, GA) established his presence on the defensive end of the floor, rejecting 5 Maryland Bible shots and grabbing 3 steals for the Golden Bears.

The 73-57 victory starts the Golden Bears out on the right foot for the 2009/10 season.

The Golden Bears will be back in action on Nov. 5th when they take on WVIAC Conference rivals, Davis & Elkins. Tipp-off is scheduled for 7:00pm in the Neil D. Baisi Athletic Center.