Wendy Haun
RICHMOND — There were several solid contributors to the Colonels dominating season-opening win over Division II West Virginia Wesleyan Saturday at McBrayer Arena.
Junior Justin Stommes led all scorers with 28 points, including 4-of-7 from beyond the three-point line, redshirt-junior Josh Daniel scored 14 points off the bench and in his first Division I game, junior transfer Spencer Perrin had team-highs in rebounds (six) and blocks (two).
“I’m very pleased with our effort tonight,” Eastern Kentucky University coach Jeff Neubauer said. “Offensively, we were spectacular tonight. This was a great shooting effort. We valued the ball. When we shoot the ball like this, we can be a very, very explosive team, and I’m pleased with that.”
While the offense certainly was explosive in the 102-71 EKU win, the defense was less than impressive. The Colonels allowed the Bobcats’ two top scorers — Bryce Barnes and Ryan Hoehner — to combine for 7-of-8 from beyond the arc and in 20 minutes of man-to-man coverage, allowed the Bobcats to score 20 points.
“We did not guard those guys very well,” Neubauer said. “Their point guards drove into the lane very well and we fouled them and gave up some easy baskets. Our perimeter defense is our No. 1 focus right now. Our man-to-man did improve in the second half, but it’s not anywhere near where it needs to be.”
Saturday night’s season-opener was the only tuneup for the Colonels (1-0) before they play their first major opponent of the season, as they will face Big East power Pittsburgh Thursday in the first game of the 2009 Legends Classic in Pittsburgh, Pa.
“We’ve played our scrimmages but the first real game really helps you out with experience for the young guys and breaking in the new year,” EKU senior Josh Taylor said. “Getting a game under your belt really helps when going into a Big East opponent like this.”
EKU led by 11 (24-13) midway through the first half, off a dunk by Stommes. However, the Colonels did little to stave off a heroic run by the Bobcats, who went on a 16-4 tear to take a 29-28 lead, capped off by three-straight threes by Barnes.
“You know everyone can play basketball and everyone can shoot but we had to trust that the things we had been working on all preseason would pay off and help us get stops,” Stommes said.
After tying it up, 35-35, the Colonels went on an 18-4 scoring run to give them a 14-point lead at halftime. Stommes scored 20 points in the first half, while Papa Oppong had all of his 13 points in the second half. EKU shot 72 percent, including 71 percent from three, in the first half en route to a 63 percent performance from the floor for the game.
“We do need Justin Stommes to be a huge offensive presence,” Neubauer said. “I thought several guys shot the ball well but Justin is a huge decision-maker with just one turnover. We need him to shoot the ball like that to become a special team.”
EKU kept the offensive pressure up in the second half, quickly building a 20-point lead and holding steady throughout the final 20 minutes.
However, one disappointment for the Colonel coaching staff was in the lack of fast-break points. Although they scored 12 second-chance points and 21 points off of turnovers, they were not able to sync up their offense enough to get any transitional points.
“One of the things I was thinking during the game was, ‘We’re going to get better in transition offense.’ Pushing the ball and making decisions,” Neubauer said. “That was maybe one of our weaker spots in decision-making was how we handled transitions. We’re certainly going to learn how to be a better transition offensive team as well as in transition defense.”
Dayvon Ellis scored seven points off of 3-of-5 shooting from the bench for EKU. Perrin also scored four points, as did sophomore Mike Lewis. Robin Mestdagh added three as well.
NOTES: Sophomore Cordaro Ellis, who was expected to help out in the post for the Colonels this season, was limited in Saturday’s contest after spraining his ankle in practice on Friday. He played just two minutes and attempted no shots.
