Mountaineers and Spiders Win In Gotham Showcase

December 20, 2014
Contact: Ray Cella 609.921.1300 (rcella@gazellegroup.com)

No. 22/20 West Virginia and Richmond emerged victorious in the Gotham Classic Showcase Round at Madison Square Garden.

In the first game of the doubleheader, Richmond came away with a 65-63 win over Pepperdine in a game that featured 12 lead changes and four ties. The Spiders were led by T.J. Cline, who garnered Most Outstanding Player laurels for posting 13 points and five rebounds. Trey Davis and Terry Allen also scored in double digits with 11 points each.

Richmond (6-4) shot 23-of-42 (.548) from the field while the Waves were 21-of-42 (.500).

Pepperdine (7-3) received 13 points from Shawn Olden, 12 points from Jeremy Major, and 11 points from Stacy Davis.

In the nightcap, Juwan Staten scored 24 points and handed out six assists to lead No. 22/20 West Virginia to an 83-69 win over NC State.

Staten, the game’s Most Outstanding Player, was 10-of-17 from the field, pacing the Mountaineers who were 31-of-58 (.534) from the floor and 7-of-13 (.538) from three.

Devin Williams had 16 points and eight rebounds and JaySean Paige added 11 points for West Virginia (10-1).

NC State (9-3) received 24 points from Trevor Lacey and 16 points from Cat Barber. The Wolfpack, like the Mountaineers, shot well from the field, hitting on 20-of-36 (.556) of their shots from the field and 8-of-14 (.571) from three.

In other Gotham Classic action on Saturday, IUPUI earned a win in thrilling fashion, staving off South Alabama, 71-65, in overtime.

DavRon Williams scored four of his team-high 13 points in the extra session and Mason Archie II added 12 points. Marcellus Barksdale rounded out the Jaguars’ double-digit scorers with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals as the Jags (3-8) stopped a six-game losing skid.

Ken Williams led three South Alabama (2-7) players in double-digits with a game-high 23 points. Taishaun Johnson, playing in his hometown of Indianapolis, finished with 18 points, six rebounds, and six assists while Barrington Stevens tallied 10 points.

The Gotham Classic continues on Tuesday when Richmond hosts IUPUI at noon (ET) and Howard plays at South Alabama at 8:00pm (ET).