While it was tough to watch at times, budding superstar Joe Alexander and Da’Sean Butler carried the rest of the Eers to the second round. WVU beat the pesky Providence Friars 58-53. WVU will now face the 4th seeded Connecticut Huskies tomorrow.

Alexander led the team, yet again, with 22 points including making all four foul shots in the game’s final minute. Butler scored 17 points on 8 of 11 shooting with 11 rebounds. Butler made a couple of shots to give the Eers the lead for good with 3 minutes left.

WVU had an 11-6 lead starting out but the Friars dominated play for the rest of the first half as they went on a 18-4 to give them their biggest lead at nine at 24-15. WVU then countered back with defense as they held Providence without a field goal in the final 5 minutes of the half. The half was capped off with a Joe Mazzulla full court dribble drive and kick to Alexander for the three as the first-half buzzer sounded to tie the game at 28.

Alexander took over briefly as he scored the first four points of the half to give the Eers the lead at 32-28. Sloppy play for the Eers continued as the Friars scored eight unanswered points to have a four-point lead of their own at 36-32. WVU came back with seven unanswered of its own including a three by Ruoff to give the Eers a 39-36 lead.

It was back and forth the rest of the way before Butler and Alexander took over. Alexander made two important foul shots in the one-on-one. The second time he was at the line he missed the first one but the Friars were called for a lane violation. Give props to Teddy Talkington who played some important minutes during the game. In about 15 minutes of action he only scored a point but he steady play kept the Eers in it til the end.

GAME TWO OF THE BIG EAST TOURNEY:
West Virginia will play the UCONN Huskies tomorrow same bat time same bat channel (2:30 on ESPN). I’d say the win has solidified the NCAA Tournament bid for sure even though I think we’re in anyway. 22 Division-I wins plus 12 from the Big East is good enough even if they only have 2 Top 50 wins. The away record is good at 10-7 plus most pundits are stating that the bubble is very weak gives West Virginia a solid enough case to head to the Big Dance. Let’s get another win in NYC and GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MOUNTAINEERS!