Cougars split two games at Big Atlantic Classic
BECKLEY — Injury-riddled Morgantown was missing WVU signee Nathan Adrian and foward Austin Agnew but still had enough firepower to beat Jefferson, 57-50, in a boys basketball game played in the weekend Big Atlantic Classic tournament staged at the Raleigh County Armory.
The Friday game saw Morgantown’s Dean Marshall lead the state’s third-ranked Mohigans with 23 points. Marshall also had eight rebounds as Morgantown owned a huge 42-24 advantage on the boards.
Jalen Smith had 21 points for the Cougars, then 3-11 with the loss. Josh Dudley was able to add 17 points. Both Smith and Dudley counted three long-range three-point field goals.
In the tournament’s consolation round on Saturday, Jefferson defeated Lewis County, 75-58, to improve its record to 4-11. Lewis County had a 9-7 overall record.
The Cougars managed to outscore Lewis County, 27-11, in the third quarter to break open a game that saw Jefferson hold a 34-29 lead at the half.
Dudley was 4-for-6 on three-point field goal attempts and scored 22 points. Smith scored 23 points and was 8-for-15 from the floor and went 6-for-10 from the foul line.
Lewis County stayed close for a half at the foul line and finished the night going 23-for-29. The Minutemen were a dismal 1-for-19 on three-point attempts.
