It took three scorers in double figures — one with a career high — and a sterling free-throw performance for West Virginia to hold off Eastern Kentucky, 74-67, yesterday in Morgantown.
For coach Bob Huggins’ Mountaineers (7-5), it was the third straight win heading into the Big 12 portion of the schedule. Guards Gary Browne and Juwan Staten had 17 — for Browne it was a career best — and Deniz Kilicli added 10.
For Jeff Neubauer’s Colonels (10-3), gunner Glenn Cosey knocked down a game-high 21 points. Mike DiNunno and reserve Orlando Williams chipped in with 10 apiece.
Cosey (8 of 14) threw in 5 of 10 3-point shots. It was the long bombs that brought the visiting Colonels back after they trailed by 16 points two minutes after intermission.
From 1:45 of the first half to 17:43 of the second half, the Colonels hit four straight 3-points shots to give them their only points of the span. Cosey hit the last two triples of the first half.
St. Francis 89, NJIT 87
In Newark, Akeem Johnson scored on a layup with five seconds left to lift St. Francis of Brooklyn (4-7) past New Jersey Institute of Technology (6-7).
The Terriers thwarted a furious comeback by NJIT. With 9:22 left to play, St. Francis held a seemingly comfortable 76-53 lead.
But the Highlanders scored 61 points in the second half. They rallied behind Ryan Woods, who led NJIT with 19 points, Chris Flores (16) and P.J. Miller. The last of Miller’s 14 points came on a 3-point play that tied it at 87-87 with 26 seconds left. Miller was fouled by Johnson, who soon atoned for his personal.
Johnson’s driving layup was the game-winner.
Detroit 83, Canisius 78
In Detroit, Ray McCallum scored 22 points to lead the Titans (8-5). Billy Baron led the Golden Griffins (9-4) with 20 points.
Akron 62, Princeton 58
In Akron, Zeke Marshall had 17 points to lead the Zips (8-4). Denton Koon led Princeton (5-7) with 16 points.
St. Mary’s 78, Yale 62
In Moraga, Calif., Matthew Dellavedova scored 24 points to lead St. Mary’s (10-3). Greg Kelley led Yale (4-9) with 14 points.
SMU 72, Furman 53
In Dallas, Brian Bernardi scored 20 points, leading four players in double figures to help SMU (10-4) beat Furman (3-9).
Wichita St. 66, No. Iowa 41
Cleanthony Early scored 16 points to lead host Wichita State (12-1) past Northern Iowa (7-6) in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.